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Work · Croatia
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. Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolova (01 4851 855) is the equality body for Croatia: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Vaš sindikat (SSSH, NHS, Matica) (sssh.hr) represents you; Državni inspektorat — inspekcija rada (01 2375 100) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstPučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolova
Report toVaš sindikat (SSSH, NHS, Matica)
If that failsDržavni inspektorat — inspekcija rada

🗣️ 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 Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolova."

🪜 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: Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolovaFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: Vaš sindikat (SSSH, NHS, Matica)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolova for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolovaDiscrimination complaintsFor discrimination at work, housing, services📞 01 4851 855🔗 www.ombudsman.hr
Vaš sindikat (SSSH, NHS, Matica)Legal aid and negotiation for membersFor members; you can join right away🔗 www.sssh.hr
Državni inspektorat — inspekcija radaEmployer inspections, fines, reports onlineAs soon as wages are overdue📞 01 2375 100🔗 dirh.gov.hr/podnosenje-prijava/83
Općinski sud — radni sporRequest to the employer within 15 days, lawsuit within 15 daysWithin 15 days of the dismissal🔗 sudovi.hr

❓ 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 Pučki pravobranitelj — suzbijanje diskriminacije / Pravobraniteljica za ravnopravnost spolova 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 Croatia”
  • “equality body Croatia 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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