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Work · Sweden
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. Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO) (08 120 20 700) is the equality body for Sweden: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Ditt fackförbund (LO, TCO, Saco) (lo.se) represents you; Arbetsmiljöverket / Arbetsdomstolen — via facket (010 730 90 00) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstDiskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO)
Report toDitt fackförbund (LO, TCO, Saco)
If that failsArbetsmiljöverket / Arbetsdomstolen — via facket

🗣️ 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 Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO)."

🪜 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: Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO)Free advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: Ditt fackförbund (LO, TCO, Saco)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO) for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO)Discrimination reports, supervision, court actionFor discrimination at work, housing, services📞 08 120 20 700🔗 www.do.se
Ditt fackförbund (LO, TCO, Saco)Negotiates and pursues wage and dismissal disputesRight away — join if you are not a member🔗 www.lo.se
Arbetsmiljöverket / Arbetsdomstolen — via facketEmployer supervision; labour disputes via the union or the district courtFor breaches of working-environment and working-time rules📞 010 730 90 00🔗 www.av.se
Tingsrätten (oorganiserad) / Arbetsdomstolen (via facket)Contesting dismissal within two weeks, wage disputesWithin two weeks of the dismissal🔗 www.domstol.se

❓ 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 Diskrimineringsombudsmannen (DO) 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 Sweden”
  • “equality body Sweden 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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