Loblaws says no evidence of discrimination in pigtail case

Loblaw Corporation says it found no evidence of workplace discrimination or harassment after a former cashier claimed he was told not to wear pigtails to work.

Adam Stone told CBC News in February that he expresses himself through his hair and had worn various styles and wigs to work at an Ottawa Loblaws grocery store for a year.

He said his store manager told him his pigtails were a health and safety hazard because he works around food.

"He said it was crazy hair, and spiked out and that it was out of control," Stone told CBC News at the time. "Then he said there's also some customers at the store who are very conservative and that it might turn away these customers."

Stone argued his pigtails complied with store policy, which states if hair falls below the shoulders, it must be pulled back.

The company's vice-president, Kevin Groh, responded to Stone's allegations in February, saying Loblaws was "committed to advancing diversity and inclusion," and Stone's complaints would be investigated.

No 'pigtail' ban, Loblaws says

"We have now concluded that there was no evidence of harassment or discrimination in the workplace," reads a letter sent to Stone on April 20 from Joan Valente, the company's senior manager of labour relations for Ontario.

"Your allegation of a 'pigtail' ban simply was not supported as evidenced by the fact you continued to wear your hair in pigtails throughout the remainder of your tenure with us without further incident."

Valente wrote that the investigation was done by Loblaws and the employees union.

Stone quit his job at Loblaws earlier this year and now works at Whole Foods in Ottawa.