Discrimination at work — Ligebehandlingsnævnet · Denmark

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. Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for Menneskerettigheder (33 41 12 00) is the equality body for Denmark: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Fogedretten — betalingspåkrav (domstol.dk) represents you; Arbejdstilsynet / Fagforeningen (70 12 12 88) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstLigebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for Menneskerettigheder

Report toFogedretten — betalingspåkrav

If that failsArbejdstilsynet / Fagforeningen

🗣️ 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 Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for Menneskerettigheder."

🪜 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: Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for MenneskerettighederFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: Fogedretten — betalingspåkravRepresentation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for Menneskerettigheder for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for MenneskerettighederDiscrimination complaints, freeFor discrimination at work, housing, services📞 33 41 12 00 🔗 ast.dk/naevn/ligebehandlingsnaevnet

Fogedretten — betalingspåkravEnforcement without a lawyer up to DKK 100,000When you are not a union member🔗 www.domstol.dk/alle-emner/gaeld/betalingspaakrav

Arbejdstilsynet / FagforeningenEmployer supervision; wage and dismissal cases via the unionFor breaches of working-environment rules📞 70 12 12 88 🔗 at.dk

Byretten / Afskedigelsesnævnet (via fagforening)Unfair dismissal, wagesAs soon as possible after the dismissal🔗 www.domstol.dk

❓ 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 Ligebehandlingsnævnet / Institut for Menneskerettigheder 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?