Employment Law · European Union

Stand Up to Workplace Discrimination With a Lawyer on Your Side

Being treated differently because of who you are — your sex, age, race, disability, religion or another protected characteristic — is unlawful across the EU. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted employment lawyer who handles discrimination cases in your European country every day.

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Who this is for

If a decision at work was really about who you are, not how you perform, that is discrimination

Workplace discrimination means being treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic such as sex, age, racial or ethnic origin, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. It can take many forms — being passed over for promotion, paid less than a colleague doing the same job, excluded from opportunities, or subjected to a hostile environment. Under EU law and the national rules that implement it, such treatment is generally unlawful, and protection often extends beyond current employees to job applicants and, in some countries, to freelancers and contractors. Discrimination is rarely announced openly, which is why it can be hard to prove on your own. We match you, free of charge, with an employment lawyer who handles discrimination claims in your country every day and knows how to build the evidence a case depends on.


Why discrimination goes unchallenged

Discrimination is usually quiet, subtle and hard to prove.
That is exactly how it survives.

Without a clear paper trail, victims doubt themselves and hesitate to act — while the treatment continues and the evidence becomes harder to gather.

01

Subtle, deniable treatment

Discrimination rarely comes with a smoking gun. It shows up as a pattern — being consistently overlooked, excluded from key projects, or held to a different standard than colleagues — which is easy for an employer to explain away.

02

Fear of retaliation

Many employees stay silent because they fear that complaining will cost them their job or future prospects. In most countries, retaliation for raising discrimination is itself unlawful, but the fear remains real.

03

The burden of proof

Proving discrimination often requires showing a pattern and comparing treatment with colleagues. Building that evidence correctly — emails, reviews, witnesses — is where a lawyer’s experience makes the difference.


What you get

A discrimination lawyer who builds your case properly

We only match you with employment lawyers who handle discrimination claims regularly in your country.

Honest initial assessment

Your lawyer listens to what happened and tells you plainly whether it amounts to unlawful discrimination, how strong your evidence is, and what your realistic options are.

Evidence building

Discrimination cases are won on evidence. Your lawyer helps you document the pattern, gather emails and reviews, and identify witnesses — before the trail goes cold.

Protected complaint process

Your lawyer advises how to raise the matter through your employer’s procedures and the relevant equality body, protecting your position while you pursue your rights.

Representation and remedies

If the case proceeds, your lawyer represents you in negotiations or proceedings, seeking remedies such as compensation, reinstatement or changes to the offending practice.


Coverage

Workplace discrimination lawyers across Europe

Anti-discrimination protections flow from EU law but are enforced nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works with your country’s equality rules on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:

SpainPortugalGermanyFranceItalyNetherlandsBelgiumIrelandAustriaPolandGreeceSweden+ more EU / EEA countries

Frequently asked

Workplace discrimination — common questions

What characteristics are protected against discrimination at work?

Across the EU, protection typically covers sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, religion or belief, and sexual orientation, with many countries adding further grounds such as gender identity or social origin. A lawyer can confirm the exact list in your country.

How do I prove I was discriminated against?

You rarely need a single smoking gun. Courts often accept a pattern of evidence — comparative treatment with colleagues, timing, emails and reviews — and in many countries the burden can shift to the employer to explain the difference. A lawyer helps you build that evidence.

Does discrimination law protect job applicants?

Yes, in most countries. Discrimination in hiring, such as rejecting an applicant because of age, sex or ethnicity, is generally unlawful. Protections may also extend to freelancers and contractors in some jurisdictions, which a lawyer can confirm for you.

What should I do if I am being discriminated against at work?

Start by keeping a dated record of incidents, saving relevant emails and noting witnesses. Then seek advice before raising it formally — a lawyer can help you decide the safest route and protect you from retaliation.

Can I be dismissed for complaining about discrimination?

Generally no. Most countries treat retaliation, including dismissal for raising a discrimination complaint, as itself unlawful. A lawyer can explain your protection and act if your employer retaliates.

What remedies are available for workplace discrimination?

Depending on the country and the case, remedies can include compensation, reinstatement, promotion, or an order that the employer change the discriminatory practice. A lawyer can advise what is realistic in your circumstances.


Free case review

You do not have to accept being treated differently

Tell us what has been happening and we will connect you with an employment lawyer who handles discrimination cases in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.