Nurse says in lawsuit that Allegheny County Jail ordered her to change hair color or be fired

A former nurse at the Allegheny County Jail filed a federal discrimination lawsuit on Thursday, contending that she was ordered to change the color of her red hair or face termination.

Angela Sisko, 41, of West Mifflin, includes claims for employment discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, and wrongful termination, asserting that she was removed from the work schedule on May 1.

Amie Downs, a spokeswoman for the county, said she could not comment on pending litigation.

Sisko worked as a registered nurse and detox nurse coordinator at the jail. She was hired in February 2017. Throughout her employment, she said, she had “naturally appearing red hair.”

In early 2020, a supervisor at the jail told Sisko her hair color violated department policy and that she needed to change the color of her hair or she would not be allowed to work, the lawsuit said.

According to the jail’s Health Services Department policy, quoted in the complaint: “Hair should be kept clean, neatly trimmed and groomed. … Hair shall consist of only natural hair colors. Extreme or fad type of artificial hair colors (purple, pink, green, magenta, etc.) are prohibited.”

The lawsuit alleges that Sisko did not violate the policy. In addition, she claims “Defendant did not apply items personal appearance policy to male and female employees in an equal similar manner,” claiming that there were male employees whose hair was not clean, trimmed or groomed, who were not disciplined.

Sisko said in the complaint that, as a result of management’s demand, she wore a wig to work, but was then subjected to comments from her co-workers.

Sisko complained to supervisors about both the comments and the hostile work environment, the lawsuit said.

On Feb. 4, Sisko emailed Chief Deputy Warden Laura Williams, telling her she had the same hair color for six years, including three years ago when she was hired.

“I do not find it appropriate for someone to demand me to change something that has been accepted for my entire employment at the ACJ,” she wrote. “My hair color does not have any effect on my job performance, I feel like this is harassment. This job is difficult enough without people adding stress on us for no reason.”

She went on to say that she also works in a hospital with strict appearance policies and has had no problems there.

“Besides that, you have staff with tattoos all over their bodies which can be considered more offensive than red hair.”

The next day, Williams wrote back.

“I understand that you were hired with this hair color and that these circumstances are frustrating for you,” she wrote.

Williams continued that the policy regarding health care employees had been in effect since September 2017 and revised twice.

“Policies are expected to be adhered to,” Williams wrote. “It was recently addressed to supervisory staff that this has not been enforced and multiple staff were identified.”

Several employees were talked to, she wrote.

“This is not harassment to you.”

Williams went on to say that employees are expected to comply with the policy, and if they don’t they would be removed from the schedule.

“I would hate to lose you from this organization and this department,” Williams wrote. “You have added so much value and have encouraged, supported and advocated for the fair and equitable treatment of individuals who have substance use issues.”

Williams closed by saying she would support whatever decision Sisko made.

In a follow-up message, Sisko questioned how the administration is able to determine a “natural shade of red,” and cited a variety of hair colors.

“I do not believe that people are born with brown hair with blond highlights or biolaged hair, yet nothing is being said to them,” she wrote. “Had I known that the jail reserved the right to tell me that I have to change my appearance in order to maintain employment, I would have never accepted this job.”