I think I am being discriminated against
The Anti-Discrimination Act stipulates specific areas in which unequal treatment is prohibited on grounds listed by the Act.
We can help
If someone treats you differently on grounds of:
- Race, ethnicity
- Sex/gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Disability
- Religion
- Belief, worldview
- Nationality
If someone treats you differently in the areas of:
- Employment, occupation, service relationship
- Access to employment and self-employment
- Education
- Social security
- Healthcare
- Membership in professional associations and unions
- Goods and services, including housing
I asked my employer for shorter working hours so that I could both earn money and also have time to take care of my children. Even though the situation at work allowed it, my superior refused to change the contract. I approached the Ombudsman who reviewed my case and found out that it involved discrimination. Thanks to his intervention, my employer recognised my right to a part-time job and we reached an agreement
The city refused to rent us a flat because we are a Roma family. I thought it was unfair – we are regular tenants, we work and have no debts. So I submitted a complaint to the Ombudsman. With his help, we managed to rent the flat and the city learned that the Roma people should not be treated differently.
I am 71 years old. I am retired, but still active and I run a successful business. My wife and I were preparing our vacation abroad thinking we could rent a car and travel. The car rental requires a credit card as a guarantee, but our local bank refused to issue one for me because I am over 70 years old. I approached the Ombudsman who pointed out to the bank that their conduct was discriminatory. As a result, they changed their position and now issue credit cards to all elderly clients.
We cannot help
- The Ombudsman can only deal with cases that involve discrimination specified in the Anti-Discrimination Act. Unfortunately, that does not mean that discrimination does not occur in other areas of life and on other grounds, such as language, social background, membership in political parties and movements, marital and family status or obligations towards a family. Other cases of discrimination also include harassment, provoking hostile environment, sexual harassment or victimisation of a person defending himself/herself against discrimination. Such conduct is, however, prohibited under laws other than the Anti-Discrimination Act.
- If you find yourself in one of these situations, we can still advise you on what to do and how to find a solution.