When transitioning from natural hair to locs, many people wonder if dreadlocks are going to affect their employment opportunities and if it is hard to get a job with dreads.

The truth is, there’s an equal chance that it will or that it won’t. Ultimately it comes down to the state in which you live and the company you’re applying to. 

In the past six years of having locs, I have not been denied employment because of my hair. If I can offer you any encouragement on this, it is to apply for the job you want regardless of your hair and sort out the details with the employer during the interview. 

In this article, you will learn about the legality surrounding this issue as well as which jobs you can (and can’t) get with dreadlocks. 

This post is all about jobs you can get with dreads.

Can dreadlocks be professional?

Yes, locs and protective hairstyles like braids can be professional, so long that the person wearing them maintains a clean cut image to provide a good first impression for the company’s clients. 

Apart from a person’s work performance, I think the image each of the team members presents is what matters most to the employer.

Can you get hired with dreads?

In many cases, you can keep your dreads and still get a job. However, in some circumstances, you can’t. 

Some people believe that not getting a job because of their hairstyle is discrimination. And while I’m not completely in favor of companies that won’t hire someone because of how their hair looks, they do have the legal right to do so in some states. 

Let’s see what the United States federal laws have to say about dreadlocks and the workplace. 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 “prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious beliefs, sex and national origin.”

While this statute opens opportunities for everyone who meets the skill level requirements of a job, nowhere does it mention hair as being a discriminatory factor. That’s because it isn’t. 

In EEOC v. Catastrophe Management Solutions, there was a dispute between Chastity Jones and a potential employer who terminated her new job offer after the interview process because of Jones’ dreadlocks. The company was sued on behalf of Jones, claiming that this was race-based hair discrimination and therefore the decision to fire her was a violation of the Civil Rights Act. 

In the end, “The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Catastrophe Management Solutions, effectively ruling that refusing to hire someone because of their dreadlocks is legal.”

The ruling also made clear that a discrimination claim based on a racial characteristic applies only to immutable characteristic. The Yale Law Journal defines it like this: “Immutable traits are defined as those characteristics that cannot be changed” such as skin color and facial features.

Companies establish legitimate rules for hiring their employees to maintain their professional image. These rules will almost always include strict dress codes and a grooming policy that has nothing to do with race, sex, color, or national origin. 

A dreadlock ban in the workplace could be based on the fact that natural dreadlocks look messy sometimes or extensions are unusual colors, both of which give off an image that does not align with the company’s standards.

While that’s the truth from an employer standpoint, activists believe it still falls on the principle of racial discrimination. 

This is where some States have stepped in to establish laws that affect the people at the state level (versus federal). 

There are organizations currently working to establish the CROWN Act in all 50 States but have (as of January 2024) been successful in getting it passed into law by 24 States and more than 40 localities.

This act, led by the CROWN Coalition, was created in 2019 “to ensure protection against discrimination based on race-based hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.”

This Act focuses on black women specifically, however, I’m not sure if or how it impacts the black community as a whole. 

To summarize, in some States (like California), you should not have any issues getting hired because of your dreads, whereas in others, that decision may be left up to the company. 

Jobs where locs are acceptable

These are some remote and in-person jobs where it’s usually acceptable to have dreads. 

Remote jobs

• Social media manager
• Brand consultant
• Influencer
• YouTuber
• Customer service representative
• Data analyst
• Call center
• Medical transcription 
• Telemarketing
• Tutoring
• Virtual assistant
• Content marketing manager
• Content writer/ journalist
• Copy editor
• Video editor
• Promotions/ sales
• Web developers/ programmer
• Mobile app developer
• Graphic designer
• Project manager
• Research engineer
• Online personal shopper 
• Tech support 
• Software developer
• Financial manager
• Your own online business
• Some corporate jobs
• And basically any other job that is fully remote

In-person jobs

• Barber or loctician 
• Wig maker/ dreadlock maker 
• Some medical and nursing jobs (depending on the hospital/ clinic)
  • Medical transcription (can be in an office setting or remote)
  • Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
  • Emergency medical services (EMS)
  • Retirement home nurse
• Birth and postpartum doula/ lactation consultant
• Caregiver
• Veterinarian technician
• Animal shelter assistant
• Painter
• Farmer
• Plant nursery
• Summer camp director
• Marina attendant
• Some government or city jobs (e.g. Public works director or Post Master)
• Grocery store employee
• Production worker at a factory
• Flight attendant (depends on the airline)
• Musician (singer, songwriter, producer)
• Dancer/ choreographer
• Actor for TV shows/ movies
• Filmmaker
• Theater worker
• Makeup artist
• Fashion stylist or designer
• Model
• Secretary or receptionist (depending on the company)
• Barista
• Bartender
• Taxi driver
• Cosmetologist
• Photographer
• Chemist
• Massage therapist
• Retail jobs (depends on the company)
• Museum worker
• Teacher (depends on the school) 
• Warehouse jobs 
• Delivery driver/ truck driver
• Tattoo parlor or piercing studio
• Environmental or outdoor jobs (e.g. surveyor or archeologist)
• Sanitary worker
• Accountant/ bookkeeper
• Your own store-front business
• Fast food restaurants, like Chick-fil-A or Mcdonald’s, allow long hair, braids, and locs, so long that they are tied and/or in a hair net. 
• And other jobs where a company allows for freedom of self-expression and/or where they’re primarily focused on performance rather than working face-to-face with clients. 

The culture of the town you’re applying in could also have a huge effect on the possibility of locs being allowed in the workplace. 

For instance, Austin, Texas prides itself on the motto of “Keep Austin Weird”. You may have a higher chance of getting hired there because being unique and different is what the city’s culture embraces. I feel like the same would go for a place like Portland, Oregon too. 

Tip: If you’re interested in a specific line of work and the only thing holding you back is your hair, then I suggest you try networking with people who are already working in that field. Establishing connections before an interview may allow the company to decide in your favor because of who you are as a person rather than judging you solely based on your appearance and their perception of your hair.

Jobs that won’t hire you because of your hair

Due to aesthetics and safety, your locs might not be acceptable for some careers. Common example include: 

• Jobs that require you to handle machinery, like ski lift operators. Your hair could pose a safety hazard when operating heavy equipment.

• Jobs that require you to handle food (e.g. server, busser). Now, this isn’t the case for all restaurants (I know some people with locs get jobs as chefs) but I think what’ll make a difference here is the appearance of your dreads. Hygiene is super important in the food service industry and if your locs look less than well-maintained, I’m sure it’ll be an immediate “no” from any employer. 

• Jobs that require you to look super professional. Again, this will depend on the company but some jobs that are less likely to hire you based on the aesthetic aspect of locs are management consultants, government officials, bankers, sales professionals in the luxury or high-end products industry, event planners, news anchors, airline pilots, hotel managers, financial professionals like analysts or stockbrokers, and corporate executives. 

Can I wear locs to work?

Just because someone has (or is planning on getting) dreadlocks does not mean they’re not worthy of being employed or that they’re not going to find a good job. On the other hand, like before mentioned, this and a few other hairstyles may not fit the grooming policy of some companies. 

If you have locs and are looking for employment, this would be a great question to ask during your job interview. 

Or if already employed and are thinking about getting locs, then you should ask your employer before you commit to making the change. That, or you risk losing your job. 

How to style your locs for work

There are many beautiful ways to style your dreads. 

Here are a few ideas: 

• High bun: This is probably the easiest and most professional option. 

• Braid: A French braid can give you an elegant look while keeping the hair out of your face. If you try braiding your locs the same way as you would loose hair, it’ll look bulky, so instead, you can try one of two things.
  
  The best option is to grab a couple of strands on each side and make them overlap with one another. Continue by grabbing new pieces from the sides each time until you work your way down to the tips. The other option is to do a similar process but instead make knots instead of overlapping them. 

• Pigtail braids: This might work in some work environments better than others, so use your best judgment here. Using the previous braiding tips, split your hair into two and make a braid on each side. 

• High ponytail: A high ponytail can also look neat, but make sure all your locs flow evenly. If yours are anything like mine (meaning they have a mind of their own), you’ll need to tuck or tame them. 

• Space buns: Depending on how long your hair is, you can pull off a cute look with space buns. 

• Bantu knots: Bantu knots are like a bunch of miniature space buns, all over your head. It’s a fun hairstyle, but it may not be appropriate for all work environments. 

• Dreadhawk: This style has a cool/ badass vibe to it. It’s perfect if your job allows you to show off the fun, artsy, or alternative side of your personality, such as a bartender or barista. 

Depending on your job, you can accessorize your locs with a bandana or scarf, especially if you need to cover up your messy roots. 

In dusty or dirty work environments, you should cover them completely to protect your hair. 

I hope this post helped you realize that dreadlocks are not the career end-all. Many employers out there are looking to hire someone based on their character, skills, and potential, and are not focused solely on a person’s hairstyle.

In any case, remember that making (and maintaining) a good impression is the priority.

If your locs need a pick-me-up, grab my free mini e-book. There you’ll get 8 moisturizer recipes that’ll give your hair the boose they need.

This post was all about jobs you can get with dreadlocks.