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Work · Spain
Updated September 2026

🚻 I am being discriminated against at work — who do I turn to?

Direct answer

Discrimination because of sex, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or pregnancy is illegal at every stage — hiring, pay, promotion, dismissal — and the burden of proof shifts: once you show facts that suggest it, the employer must prove otherwise. Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial (inmujeres.gob.es) is the equality body for Spain: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Sindicato (CCOO, UGT) (ccoo.es) represents you; Inspección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (ITSS) (mites.gob.es) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstInstituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial
Report toSindicato (CCOO, UGT)
If that failsInspección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (ITSS)

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been treated less favourably than colleagues in [pay / shifts / promotion / …] and I believe the reason is my [ground]. Examples: [dates, facts, witnesses]. I ask for this to be investigated and stopped. I am also contacting Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Write it downDates, what was said or done, who was there, how others were treated. Comparisons are the evidence.
  2. Internal complaintHR or the works council, in writing. Many countries require this step; it also fixes the date.
  3. Equality body: Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación RacialFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: Sindicato (CCOO, UGT)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación RacialAdvice and reporting of discriminationDiscrimination at work, housing, services🔗 www.inmujeres.gob.es
Sindicato (CCOO, UGT)Advice and representation at the labour courtFor members; you can join right away🔗 www.ccoo.es
Inspección de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (ITSS)Complaint, inspection, payment orderAs soon as the wages are late🔗 www.mites.gob.es/itss/web/Atencion_al_Ciudadano/COMO_DENUNCIAR_ITSS.html
Juzgado de lo Social (SMAC previo)Dismissal: 20 working days; mandatory prior conciliationWithin 20 working days of the dismissal🔗 www.poderjudicial.es

❓ Frequently asked

Can they punish me for complaining?

Retaliation is itself illegal and separately compensable. Keep the paper trail — it is what makes retaliation provable.

I am pregnant and they cut my hours

Pregnancy discrimination is sex discrimination and pregnant workers have special protection against dismissal. Contact Instituto de las Mujeres / Consejo para la Eliminación de la Discriminación Racial the same week.

They say I was not hired because of "fit"

Ask in writing for the reason and the successful candidate's qualifications; a refusal to answer counts against them.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “discrimination at work who to contact Spain”
  • “equality body Spain complaint”
  • “pregnancy discrimination work”
  • “unequal pay complaint”
  • “age discrimination hiring”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🛑Harassment at work→⚖️Unfair dismissal→💼Unpaid wages→🧾Client won't pay→

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