Discrimination at work · Norway

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. Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / Diskrimineringsnemnda (23 15 73 00) is the equality body for Norway: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Arbeidstilsynet (73 19 97 00) represents you; Tingretten — arbeidsrettssak (via fagforening) (domstol.no) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstLikestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / Diskrimineringsnemnda

Report toArbeidstilsynet

If that failsTingretten — arbeidsrettssak (via fagforening)

🗣️ 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 Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / Diskrimineringsnemnda."

🪜 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: Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / DiskrimineringsnemndaFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: ArbeidstilsynetRepresentation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / Diskrimineringsnemnda for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / DiskrimineringsnemndaGuidance and complaints on discriminationFor discrimination at work, housing, services📞 23 15 73 00 🔗 www.ldo.no

ArbeidstilsynetAnswers on labour law, supervision of rogue employersWhen you are not a union member📞 73 19 97 00 🔗 www.arbeidstilsynet.no

Tingretten — arbeidsrettssak (via fagforening)Unfair dismissal: negotiations within 2 weeks, lawsuit within 8 weeksWithin 2 weeks for negotiations🔗 www.domstol.no

SivilombudetComplaints about the administration, freeWhen the administration does not answer or acts unfairly📞 22 82 85 00 🔗 www.sivilombudet.no

❓ 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 Likestillings- og diskrimineringsombudet (LDO) / Diskrimineringsnemnda 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?