Discrimination at work · Germany

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. Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (0800 546 546 5) is the equality body for Germany: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Gewerkschaft (DGB Rechtsschutz) (dgb.de) represents you; Mindestlohn-Hotline (BMAS) / Zoll FKS (030 60 28 00 28) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstAntidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes

Report toGewerkschaft (DGB Rechtsschutz)

If that failsMindestlohn-Hotline (BMAS) / Zoll FKS

🗣️ 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 Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes."

🪜 Step by step

Write it downDates, what was said or done, who was there, how others were treated. Comparisons are the evidence.
Internal complaintHR or the works council, in writing. Many countries require this step; it also fixes the date.
Equality body: Antidiskriminierungsstelle des BundesFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: Gewerkschaft (DGB Rechtsschutz)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Antidiskriminierungsstelle des BundesAdvice on discrimination, deadlines, mediationFor discrimination on origin, sex, age, disability …📞 0800 546 546 5 🔗 www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de

Gewerkschaft (DGB Rechtsschutz)Advice, representation at the labour courtFor members; joining is usually possible right away🔗 www.dgb.de/gewerkschaften

Mindestlohn-Hotline (BMAS) / Zoll FKSReport minimum-wage breaches, inspectionsWhen paid below minimum wage or not at all📞 030 60 28 00 28 🔗 www.zoll.de/DE/Privatpersonen/Arbeit/Mindestlohn/mindestlohn_node.html

ArbeitsgerichtDismissal claims (3 weeks!), wage claims, no lawyer neededWithin 3 weeks of receiving the dismissal🔗 www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsrecht/arbeitsrecht.html

❓ 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 Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes 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

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