MHFA England adopts Halo Code to prevent race-based hair discrimination

Social enterprise Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England has signed and adopted the Halo Code, which encourages schools and workplaces to prevent race-based hair discrimination.

The code protects employees who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic and cultural identities. Employers which adopt the code aim to proactively take a stand to ensure that no member of their community faces barriers or judgements because of their Afro-textured hair.

MHFA England joins Unilever and a growing number of workplaces and schools in adopting the code. 

Adah Parris, Chair of MHFA England commented:

“As someone who has been told that my style was too ‘exotic’, and that a different hairstyle would make me more ‘representative’ of the workplace, I’m delighted that MHFA England has joined a growing list of workplaces in adopting this practice. Mine is just one of many accounts where my Blackness has been deemed inappropriate for the workplace, and I know first-hand the impact that this can have on wellbeing.

“Race-based hair discrimination has been illegal since 2010, but legislation is not enough on its own. The anti-racist mission has to start with employers instilling a zero-tolerance approach. Those who seek real change should be looking to embed policies such as the Halo Code into their Diversity and Bullying and Harassment policies, conduct anti-racism training and commit to continuous learning and improvement.”

A survey by the founders of the Halo Code found one in five black women feel societal pressure to straighten their hair for work, and more than half of black students have experienced name calling or uncomfortable questions about their hair at school. 

The adoption of the Halo Code follows the publication of free guidance on supporting the mental health of People of Colour and Black colleagues. This guidance was created as part of MHFA England’s My Whole Self campaign.

Simon Blake, Chief Executive, MHFA England said:

“We believe that all employees should have the freedom to bring their whole self to work. For our Black and Mixed Race colleagues, this means they should feel comfortable and confident to wear their hair however they want, without fear of prejudice or discrimination. Signing the Halo Code represents another important step in our commitment to becoming an actively anti-racist organisation.    

“We know the negative effects that microaggressions can have on the mental health of People of Colour and Black colleagues, and we would encourage our colleagues and friends in the mental health and social sectors to join us in adopting the code and help protect the wellbeing of our Black colleagues.”

Simon spoke to Adah Parris for our Just About Coping podcast in March 2020. You can listen to her conversation, including her experience of race-based hair discrimination here: You can find out and more and sign the Halo Code on the Halo Collective’s website. For more on MHFA England’s anti-racism work, head to our My Whole Self campaign page.