Dove and LinkedIn team up to support ending race-based hair discrimination in workplace

Dove and LinkedIn have partnered up to support the passing of The CROWN Act, end hair bias and hair discrimination, and provide free courses that support a more equitable work environment. The CROWN Act, which stands for creating a respectful and open world for natural hair, is a law that prohibits racial discrimination based on natural textures and protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots.

This comes after a study co-commissioned by Dove and LinkedIn, found that black women's hair was 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. As such, two over three of them change their hair for a job interview. Among them, 41% changed their hair from curly to straight. Black women are 54% more likely to feel they have to wear their hair straight to an interview to be successful. Over 20% of black women aged 25 to 34 have been sent home from work because of their hair, the study found. 

Furthermore, nearly half (44%) of black women under 34 feel pressured to have a headshot with straight hair. The results showed that there are bias against natural hair and protective styles can impact how black women navigate the hiring process, hair discrimination has led black women to have a negative experience or outcomes within the workplace. Moreover, young black professionals are feeling the pressure from hair discrimination the most.

Don't miss: Dove strips down photo-editing on selfies to show real untouched beauty

In an effort to support the initiative, Dove X LinkedIn's partnership will start off with a series of actions to help end race-based hair discrimination in the workplace nationwide. They will provide free access to 10 LinkedIn learning courses focused on creating a more equitable and inclusive work environment, with a goal to educate one million hiring managers and workplace professionals by the end of 2023.

In addition, they will illuminate the real and measurable adverse impact hair discrimination continues to have on black women in the workplace through the study co-commissioned by them. They will also elevate and celebrate the real stories and voices of black women professionals across LinkedIn and social media platforms using #BlackHairIsProfessional to help redefine what society deems "professional" at work.

"The goal of the partnership between Dove and LinkedIn is to help put an end to race-based hair discrimination in the workplace. We intend to shine a light on this issue and call upon employers, hiring managers, and professionals to adopt equitable and inclusive practices that create a respectful and open world for natural hair," said Esi Eggleston Bracey, president & CEO of Unilever personal care in North America on her LinkedIn post.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Dove for further information.

Back in February last year, Dove launched a campaign on the arousing a trend of appearance hate and discrimination caused by toxic beauty standards. It launched a campaign video, featuring five girls who experienced appearance-based discrimination.

Related articles:

Dove Malaysia creates bespoke bubble tea with Gong Cha
Dove strips down photo-editing on selfies to show real untouched beauty
Dove wants to pay other brands to diversify talent in ads
Dove partners Cartoon Network to push body positive message to youngsters