Discrimination at work — CNCD · Romania

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. CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea Discriminării (021 312 65 78) is the equality body for Romania: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Sindicatul tău (BNS, Cartel ALFA, CNSLR Frăția) (bns.ro) represents you; Inspecția Muncii — ITM județean (021 302 7030) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstCNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea Discriminării

Report toSindicatul tău (BNS, Cartel ALFA, CNSLR Frăția)

If that failsInspecția Muncii — ITM județean

🗣️ 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 CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea Discriminării."

🪜 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: CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea DiscriminăriiFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: Sindicatul tău (BNS, Cartel ALFA, CNSLR Frăția)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea Discriminării for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea DiscriminăriiDiscrimination petitions, sanctionsDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 021 312 65 78 🔗 www.cncd.ro

Sindicatul tău (BNS, Cartel ALFA, CNSLR Frăția)Legal aid and negotiation for membersFor members; you can join right away🔗 www.bns.ro

Inspecția Muncii — ITM județeanEmployer inspections, fines, reports onlineAs soon as wages are overdue📞 021 302 7030 🔗 www.inspectiamuncii.ro/sesizari

Tribunalul — litigii de muncă (scutit de taxă)Contesting dismissal within 45 days, wage claimsWithin 45 days of the dismissal🔗 portal.just.ro

❓ 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 CNCD — Consiliul Național pentru Combaterea Discriminării 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?