COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. — A suburban teen believes she was fired from her new job because of her dreadlocks.
16-year-old Tyler House had her heart set on getting a part-time job at the new Marcus Country Club Hills Cinema. The first interview went well and she was hired. But when she showed up for her first day of orientation and met the manager, she says she was let go because of her hair.
“He called my name and brought me to the hallway and said, ‘Dreads are not allowed,’” said House.
The honors student at Rich Central High School has been growing her dreadlocks for five years. Her sister wrote about the incident on Facebook. The post has been shared more than a thousand times with some calling for a boycott.
Marcus Theatres is currently renovating the property after AMC Loews abruptly closed there earlier this year.
“Why is it that dreadlocks are not permitted in your employees but it’s ok for us to spend our dreadlock money in your company? I don`t understand. They come to an African American neighborhood but they discriminate against some of us. I don`t understand it,” said House’s mother, Darnetta Herring.
Marcus Theatres released this statement:
This week we learned that a job candidate at our Marcus Country Club Hills Cinema was turned away because she wore dreadlocks. Some have expressed concern, and their reaction has led us to re-examine that decision. Marcus Theatres operates in many communities across the United States, and our success is due in part to our talented team. Our associates come to work each day committed to delivering a best-in-class experience to everyone who passes through our doors. Effective immediately, no job candidate will be disqualified because they wear dreadlocks. We are in the process of reviewing our protocols, and will update them to ensure that they reflect our professional standards and commitment to recognizing the diversity of our associates.