Ludlow cosmetology school to reimburse students after discrimination allegations
Faculty at Jolie Hair and Beauty Academy are accused of making discriminatory statements toward students regarding race, religion, and national origin.
A Ludlow cosmetology school will reimburse students more than $160,000 in response to allegations of misleading claims and discrimination leveled against the school, state Attorney General Maura Healey’s office announced Monday.
Faculty at Jolie Hair and Beauty Academy are accused of making discriminatory statements toward students regarding race, religion, and national origin.
The school also misrepresented its curriculum, according to the AG’s office, telling students its program would cover topics such as depilation, waxing, and eyebrow and eyelash tinting — and then failing to.
In addition, Jolie allegedly did not provide the state mandatory regulatory information, such as its graduation rates.
The school will pay the AG’s office $94,000 to disperse to its students and will also cover $70,000 of the debt students owe it.
All of Jolie’s employees will now undergo training by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the AG’s office said, and the school has promised to implement new anti-discrimination policies.
According to its website, the school also has locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“Students deserve vocational training that is high quality and respectful of all students,” Healey said in a statement. “This settlement will provide many Jolie students with the relief that they need.”
The school declined to comment on the allegations or reimbursement.
