The French parliament will debate a proposed law tackling racist “hair discrimination” in the workplace that sees people with certain hairstyles lose out on promotions and jobs.

Olivier Serva, the MP from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe behind the Bill, said it took its inspiration from similar US legislation and aimed to make it a criminal offence to discriminate according to “the cut, colour, length or texture of hair”.

Those most in the firing line are black women who are often forced to change their hairstyle before an interview, even though “wearing natural hair – locks, twists, braids, Afro, red or blond hair – is intricately linked to self-esteem”, he said.

Mr Serva added that sociological studies suggest that “textured, loose hair[styles] are associated with less serious, less rigorous, messier people, compared to those with straighter, more coiffed hair”, regardless of their skin colour.

Existing laws on racism and discrimination regarding gender or sexual orientation do not sufficiently cover hair, he argues.

Bill based on US law

The Bill is largely based on legislation in California, which in 2019 became the first US state to ban workplace and school discrimination against black people for wearing hairstyles such as braids, twists and locks.

Senator Holly Mitchell, who introduced the “Create a respectful and open workplace for natural hair” Act, also known as the Crown Act, said:  “We are changing the course of history, hopefully, across this country by acknowledging that what has been defined as professional hairstyles and attire in the workplace has historically been based on a Euro-centric model – based on straight hair.”

Mr Serva also cited a 2009 study in Britain that found that blonde women were dyeing their hair brown to be taken more seriously in the office. One in three female employees with light-coloured hair had followed in the footsteps of Scarlett Johansson by adopting a more sober shade in the workplace.

Blonde to brunette

Researchers also found 62 per cent of people think brunettes look more professional than blondes in the workplace.

Dan Hadley, a spokesman for Superdrug, which commissioned the study, said: “The study shows brunettes do seem to be taken more seriously in the workplace which is causing a rise in fair headed women darkening their locks.

“It’s incredible how changing your hair colour can alter people’s perception of you as well as making you feel more confident too.”

A large percentage of fair-haired women believe their hair colour has held them back in their career in the past

The study revealed 31 per cent of blonde women have gone brunette to appear more intelligent in the office. It also emerged 38 per cent of fair-haired women believe their hair colour has held them back in their career in the past.

Those who have changed hair colour reckon it has paid off with 38 per cent believing they have been taken more seriously by their boss.

The French hair Bill is to be tabled on March 28.