Linklaters adopts the UK’s first Black hair code
Linklaters has adopted the Halo Code, the UK’s first Black hair code, championing and protecting the rights of individuals to embrace all Afro-hairstyles in the workplace. The Code was developed by the Halo Collective, bringing together organisations and individuals who have made a commitment to work towards creating a future without hair discrimination.
Despite hair being a protected racial characteristic under the Equalities Act 2010, hair discrimination remains a source of racial injustice for Black people in the UK.
In line with the Code, Linklaters explicitly protects (beyond statutory protections) its Black colleagues who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles and is actively working to change long-held perceptions of Black hair. The Code will be embedded into the firm’s Dress Code policy and forms part of a wider review of policies in line with the firm’s Race Action Plan.
David Martin, Global Diversity Partner at Linklaters, comments: “At Linklaters we are committed to being home to a culture and environment in which racial, ethnic, cultural and religious identities are celebrated and individuals feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We pride ourselves on our values of respect, integrity and inclusion and stand against all forms of racism and discrimination.”
The Halo Code: "Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles.
We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities.
We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed."
