How To Tie A Headwrap

Federal court case weighs conflict between Botetourt County company's and ...

Lawrence Transportation Systems will square off Thursday morning in federal district court in Harrisonburg against the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. The case involves a self-described Rastafarian who refused to cut his dreadlocks to comply with a company appearance policy and was subsequently denied a job.

The EEOC announced in September it would sue Botetourt County-based Lawrence Transportation for allegedly violating federal law prohibiting religious discrimination when the company declined three years ago to hire Christopher Woodson.

In May 2008, Woodson applied for a job at Lawrence's Waynesboro facility and was initially offered employment, according to both the EEOC and Lawrence. But the company withdrew the job offer after Woodson said he would not cut his hair because of religious beliefs.

The EEOC's complaint against Lawrence holds that "Rastafarians do not cut their hair based on their sincerely held religious belief that they should grow their hair in an unbridled or dreadlocked fashion in order to be one with nature."

Lawrence countered that the company's decision not to hire Woodson had nothing to do with religious discrimination. Instead, Lawrence said its appearance policy dates back to 1932 and is in place to ensure moving and transfer customers encounter well-groomed workers. Other moving companies have similar policies.

Meanwhile, the EEOC alleged that Lawrence's responses to Woodson "were done with malice or with reckless indifference" to his federally protected rights. The commission reported that he "offered to tie his hair up, wear a head wrap or wear a cap over his head" but was still denied employment.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers "to attempt to make reasonable accommodations" for a worker's religious beliefs as long as the adjustment poses no undue hardship for the employer.

The company said the accommodations proposed by Woodson still violated its dress code because Woodson's hair would not fit under a "uniformed hat."

The EEOC seeks back pay with interest, compensation for past and future monetary losses, punitive damages and more.

Since 2004, Lawrence Transportation and other divisions of the Lawrence Cos. have been 100 percent employee-owned. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan committee and company officials decided to fight the EEOC charges rather than settle the case.

J.D. Robinson, a Lawrence executive, said Tuesday that a number of employees plan to attend the trial in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg.

How to tie Gele, Aso Oke, Head wrap, Head tie, Scarf, Damask ...

Tie a Head Scarf 4 Ways!

Whenever you wear scarves you must look for styles that provide warmth and thickness at a time. You can now buy scarves with matching hats, gloves and waist coat to use them as fashion accessories. Scarves made from angora are best for outerwear; you can also use extra long scarves that can be wrapped around the neck over and over to keep the chest and neck warm. There are different ways to tie scarves for different occasion, to swing boring outfit into a definite fashion statement....

Scarves are a great accessory which can create an elegant look. Many years ago, there were only two common uses for a scarf. The first was to keep the neck warm in cold weather and the other was to cover bad hair or to stop perspiration dripping into the eyes. There are many ways to wear scarves now which can make you look very stylish and chic if done well. The tying part may seem a bit boring but is easy when you know how. Here are some suggestions on different ways to wrap and tie a scarf...

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