The Ritz apologises after job applicant told 'Afro-style' hair was banned

The Ritz London has said it is committed to creating an “inclusive” environment for staff after a job candidate was sent an old grooming policy banning ‘Afro-style’ hair.

Jerelle Jules, 29, pulled out of the hiring process after being sent a document which forbade ‘unusual hair styles’ such as ‘spiky hair, Afro style’.

The five-red-AA-starred hotel has apologised to Jules and said the outdated policy had been sent in error.

Speaking to the Metro, Jules, who is of Black Caribbean background, said the ‘discriminatory’ policy was damaging to Black people applying for jobs at the hotel.

He told the paper: "‘I was preparing for the interview a few days ahead on Sunday when I thought I’d look at the grooming policy and I was taken aback by it.

"The word Afro itself is obviously indicative of Africans and after reading that I don’t feel comfortable going to the interview.

‘The policy was updated in June 2021 so this is not something that was written 10 or 20 years ago. It’s a recent policy that shows a lack of awareness about being inclusive to people of colour."

He added that the policy had damaged his confidence in pursuing a career in the luxury hospitality industry.

Jules raised his concerns about the grooming policy with the Ritz and in a letter to his local MP in Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter.

A spokesperson for the Ritz said: “The Ritz London does not condone discrimination of any form and we are genuinely committed to fostering an inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for all of our colleagues and guests.”

*Image: N.M Bear / Shutterstock *