An employee grooming guideline, which prohibits dreadlocks at Carowinds amusement park, does not amuse a Charlotte family.

"It wasn't until I got to the car that the tears started coming down," said 18-year-old Lashanti Penn.

Penn was looking for a summer job in Charlotte after finishing her first year at East Carolina University.

"She was like, 'Oh, they're beautiful but it's just corporate policy,'" Penn remembers being told when she went to a job interview at Carowinds. "I was quiet because I didn't know what to say. My heart kind of like sunk a little bit."

Carowinds declined an on-camera interview but provided NewsChannel 36 with a copy of their grooming guidelines.

"Hair must be natural, clean, well-groomed and simply arranged," reads the document, which is provided to applicants. "Faddish, extreme hairstyles, including…dreadlocks are not permitted."

Although the policy makes no references to race or ethnicity, Penn says the dreadlock policy discriminates against blacks.

"Out of 100 people with dreadlocks, how many are going to be Caucasian? Not that many," she said.

Penn's mother called Carowinds' corporate headquarters, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in Ohio to complain.

"They are telling the African-American community, 'We don't want your children here if they have dreadlocks.' We don't want to hire them. They're not worthy enough to work for us,'" claimed Michelle Miller Pen. "'But if you come to our theme park and you want to pay to get in or of buy some of our expensive food, we’ll take your money.' That's not right."

A Carowinds spokesperson forwarded NewsChannel 36 the following prepared statement:

"Carowinds does not directly deny a job applicant in the event they have dreadlocks upon arrival to the Employment Office for an interview. When the applicant begins the interview process they are made aware of the Corporate Grooming Policy. Those who express their willingness to comply with the grooming standards are then interviewed for an available position. If a position is offered, Carowinds gives the applicant the opportunity to comply with the grooming standards, and, if needed, works with the applicant’s schedule should they need additional time following the interview to be in compliance with the grooming standards before their orientation and training dates."

Carowinds allows employees to have cornrows and braids because those styles fall into the category of "fresh and neat."

"I think if they would've given me the opportunity, I could have shown them that I could be a good employee," said Penn.

"With dreadlocks?" we asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

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