Anti-discrimination office

Superiors are not always understanding of family commitments such as looking after young children or caring for relatives. Anyone who is disadvantaged at work because of this is now entitled to a new advisory service. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency provides information about rights and arranges further support options locally.

These are not isolated cases: A mother who receives her notice because she is absent to care for her sick child at home. A young woman who is denied further training because she could become pregnant in the near future and miss work. A young father who wants to take parental leave and is then only given undemanding tasks that do not match his qualifications and underchallenge him. An employee who cares for his mother and wants to reduce his working hours, but is told to look for another job.

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects against discrimination on six grounds:

• age,
• disability,
• ethnic origin or on racial grounds,
• gender,
• sexual identity
• as well as religion and belief.

Care responsibility is not yet protected by law. Only gender-based discrimination is prohibited. In Germany, disadvantages in the job due to parenthood or caring for relatives are therefore not recognized as discrimination in many cases.

However, those affected do not have to accept the discrimination. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency offers advice for carers, including fathers and people who care for the elderly. Anyone who feels discriminated against for applying for or taking parental leave, care leave or family care leave can contact the service center.

The legal advice team informs parents and carers about their rights and how to assert them. The advice cannot replace individual legal advice. However, recommendations and further support services can be provided locally. An overview of the advice standards of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency can be found on the website.