Former LA Fitness employee files discrimination complaint after being told Afro was substandard

A former sales associate on the Slidell Los Angeles Fitness filed a discrimination complaint after she received a text message that she had been faraway from her work schedule because her hair “does not in any way meet LA FITNESS STANDARDS.” In addition to calling 26-year-old Aireial Mack unprofessional, the text message continued: “We need to look classy. We don’t need to leak in an indignant style. Don’t take it the incorrect way, just change it. According to Advocate, Mack complained to the gym’s general manager, Mark Mayeux, and was fired a number of days later. In March, Mack filed a complaint with the Louisiana Human Rights Commission against LA Fitness. Mack says the texting incident wasn’t the one racist thing that happened to her at work, and he or she often needed to cope with racism from white co-workers. At one point, Mack claims a co-worker said, “Doesn’t she look good for a black girl? Look at her ass. Considering the entire evidence Mack presented to the committee, the agency concluded that LA Fitness violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act “because (Mack) was removed from the schedule due to her natural hair.” The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission then issued a “right to sue” statement to Mack. Of course, LA Fitness denies being racist and claims Mack was fired on account of excessive sick days and poor work ethic. Looks like they’ll need to prove all this in court, because Mack says that is where they’ll see her next time.