Discrimination at work · Ireland

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. Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) (01 858 9601) is the equality body for Ireland: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Your trade union (ICTU) (ictu.ie) represents you; Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (0818 80 80 90) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstIrish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)

Report toYour trade union (ICTU)

If that failsWorkplace Relations Commission (WRC)

🗣️ 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 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)."

🪜 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: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)Free advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
Union: Your trade union (ICTU)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)Advice and support on discrimination; WRC decides claimsDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 01 858 9601 🔗 www.ihrec.ie

Your trade union (ICTU)Advice and representationFor members; join first if you are not🔗 www.ictu.ie

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)Complaints under the Payment of Wages Act, inspections, adjudicationWithin 6 months of the unpaid date📞 0818 80 80 90 🔗 www.workplacerelations.ie

Office of the OmbudsmanComplaints about public bodies, freeWhen a public body does not answer or acts unfairly📞 01 639 5600 🔗 www.ombudsman.ie

❓ 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 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) 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?