💼WorkUpdated: May 2026

⚖️ Discrimination at work — what are my rights?

Direct answer

On suspected workplace discrimination (application, employment, dismissal): (1) Document: note events, dates, witnesses. Save emails + WhatsApp. (2) Address employer: report your experience to manager. Try internal solution via complaint procedure, works council or trust person. (3) Anti-discrimination bureau: Amsterdam 020-623 2525 or discriminatie.nl. Free advice + process guidance. (4) Juridisch Loket: 0900-8020 or union (FNV/CNV) for legal support. (5) Netherlands Institute for Human Rights: mensenrechten.nl — formal ruling within few months. Ruling not binding but weighs heavy in court. (6) Court case: on proven discrimination judge can award damages + dismissal reversal.

Help

Discriminatie.nl free

Formal ruling

Human Rights Institute

Court

Damages possible

Last verified: 2026-05-14

Step by step

1
Document everything
Events, dates, witnesses, emails, WhatsApp. More concrete evidence = stronger case.
2
Address employer
Report to manager or trust person. Try internal solution. Keep proof of report.
3
Use internal procedures
Complaint procedure, works council, trust person. Employers with 50+ staff required to have complaint procedure.
4
Anti-discrimination bureau or lawyer
discriminatie.nl or Juridisch Loket 0900-8020. FNV members: 020-585 6000 free legal aid.
5
Complaint to Human Rights Institute
Form at mensenrechten.nl. Ruling within 6 months, weighs in any later court case.

All contacts

Juridisch LoketFree legal advice

First legal advice

📞 0900-8020 🔗 juridischloket.nl

Discriminatie.nl AmsterdamAnti-discrimination bureau free

For guidance + advice

📞 020-623 2525 🔗 discriminatie.nl

College voor de Rechten van de MensFormal discrimination ruling

For formal complaint

📞 030-888 3888 🔗 mensenrechten.nl

FNV / CNV (vakbond)Legal aid members

For litigation

📞 020-585 6000 🔗 fnv.nl

Informatie RijksoverheidGeneral info equal treatment

For general info

📞 1400 🔗 rijksoverheid.nl

Frequently asked questions

Must I go to Human Rights Institute before court?

No, you can go directly to court. But the Institute's ruling weighs heavily in court + is free — most people take that route first.

Can I complain anonymously?

Anti-discrimination bureau: anonymous advice possible. Formal complaint Institute/court: not anonymous, your name needed. Employer gets your name.

Does this also apply during applications?

Yes, also in recruitment + selection no discrimination on prohibited grounds (gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.).

Sources

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