I am being discriminated against at work — who do I turn to?
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. Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála (460 6200) is the equality body for Iceland: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Stéttarfélagið þitt (ASÍ, BSRB, VR) (asi.is) represents you; Vinnueftirlitið (550 4600) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.
🗣️ 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 Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála."
🪜 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: Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismálaFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
- Union: Stéttarfélagið þitt (ASÍ, BSRB, VR)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
- DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála for the exact one on day one.
📇 All contacts
❓ 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 Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála 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
- Jafnréttisstofa / kærunefnd jafnréttismála →
- Stéttarfélagið þitt (ASÍ, BSRB, VR) →
- Vinnueftirlitið →
- Héraðsdómur (í gegnum stéttarfélag) / Félagsdómur →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “discrimination at work who to contact Iceland”
- “equality body Iceland 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.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.