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Work · Switzerland
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. Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für Rassismusbekämpfung (ebg.admin.ch) is the equality body for Switzerland: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Unia — Gewerkschaft (unia.ch) represents you; Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / Arbeitsamt (seco.admin.ch) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstEidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für Rassismusbekämpfung
Report toUnia — Gewerkschaft
If that failsKantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / Arbeitsamt

🗣️ 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 Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für Rassismusbekämpfung."

🪜 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: Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für RassismusbekämpfungFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: Unia — GewerkschaftRepresentation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für Rassismusbekämpfung for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für RassismusbekämpfungAdvice on discrimination, equality actFor discrimination on sex, origin, disability🔗 www.ebg.admin.ch
Unia — GewerkschaftAdvice, legal protection, wage claimsFor members, joining possible right away🔗 www.unia.ch
Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / ArbeitsamtOversight of working conditions, adviceFor breaches of the labour act and collective agreements🔗 www.seco.admin.ch/seco/de/home/Arbeit/Arbeitsbedingungen/Arbeitsinspektorate.html
Arbeitsgericht / Schlichtungsbehörde ArbeitsrechtFree conciliation up to CHF 30,000, then courtFor dismissal, wages, references🔗 www.ch.ch/de/arbeit

❓ 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 Eidg. Büro für die Gleichstellung (EBG) / Fachstelle für Rassismusbekämpfung 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 Switzerland”
  • “equality body Switzerland 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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