Best Job Discrimination Lawyers in Arta

About Job Discrimination Law in Arta, Greece

Job discrimination in Arta is governed by national Greek law and European Union rules that protect people from unfair treatment at work based on specific personal characteristics. The rules apply to every stage of employment, including job ads, interviews, hiring, pay, training, promotion, working conditions, disciplinary action, and dismissal. Arta follows the same legal framework as the rest of Greece, but your complaint or case will typically be handled by local authorities and courts in Epirus, such as the Labour Inspectorate in the region and the Court of First Instance in Arta. If you believe you have been treated unfavorably because of who you are rather than your performance or conduct, you may have a discrimination claim.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

People often seek a lawyer in job discrimination matters when they face discriminatory treatment in hiring, unequal pay for similar work, harassment or a hostile work environment, denial of reasonable accommodations for disability, adverse treatment during pregnancy or after parental leave, retaliation for reporting misconduct or discrimination, discriminatory dismissal or forced resignation, discriminatory application of workplace policies such as dress codes or scheduling, and breaches of privacy connected to discrimination. A lawyer can help you assess your rights, preserve evidence, approach your employer safely, file complaints with the correct authority, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in court if needed. Early legal advice can prevent mistakes and strengthen your position, especially when deadlines are short and the burden of proof rules are specific.

Local Laws Overview

Greek and EU law prohibit discrimination based on sex including pregnancy and maternity, gender identity and gender characteristics, race or ethnic origin, color, religion or belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Greek law also protects against discrimination due to family status, part time or fixed term status, union activity, and other comparable reasons. These protections apply in both the private and public sectors in Arta.

Key national sources include the Greek Constitution on equality and work, Law 4443-2016 on equal treatment implementing EU anti discrimination directives, Law 3896-2010 on equal treatment of men and women in employment and equal pay, and Law 4808-2021 on labour protection and the prevention of violence and harassment at work which ratifies ILO Convention 190 and requires employers to adopt anti harassment policies and complaint procedures, especially for employers with 20 or more staff. Greek law provides that once a worker shows facts suggesting discrimination, the burden shifts to the employer to prove that their actions were lawful and not discriminatory. Victimization is prohibited, meaning you cannot be lawfully punished for asserting your rights or assisting in a discrimination case. Remedies can include compensation for financial loss and moral harm, reinstatement after discriminatory dismissal, correction of records, and administrative fines against the employer. Harassment and sexual harassment are expressly recognized as forms of discrimination. Employers in Arta must also follow health and safety, privacy, and data protection rules when investigating or handling complaints.

Public enforcement bodies include the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate for private sector employment disputes and the Greek Ombudsman as the Equality Body particularly for public sector cases and equal treatment oversight. Trade unions and works councils can assist workers in presenting grievances. Civil courts in Arta hear employment disputes, often through specialized labour procedures that aim to be faster and less costly. Time limits can be short in employment cases, so act quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as job discrimination under Greek law

Discrimination occurs when you are treated less favorably because of a protected characteristic such as sex, pregnancy, disability, age, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or gender identity or characteristics. It also includes indirect discrimination, where a neutral rule disadvantages a protected group without a legitimate objective, and harassment, including sexual harassment, when unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic violates your dignity and creates a hostile environment.

Does the law protect me during recruitment and interviews

Yes. Job ads, selection criteria, interview questions, and hiring decisions must be free of discrimination. For example, rejecting a candidate due to pregnancy, disability, or age is unlawful. Employers should focus on qualifications and job related requirements. Medical checks and personal questions must be limited to what is necessary for the role and handled with confidentiality.

Is unequal pay for the same or similar work illegal

Yes. Greek law requires equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, regardless of sex or other protected characteristics. If you can show that you perform similar tasks under similar conditions but are paid less, the employer must justify the difference with objective, lawful reasons. Pay includes basic salary and benefits such as bonuses, allowances, and in kind benefits.

What protections exist for pregnancy and parental leave

Women are protected against discrimination due to pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity. Dismissal during pregnancy and specific postnatal periods is heavily restricted and often null. Parents have rights to leave and flexible arrangements under national law implementing EU work life balance measures. Adverse treatment because you take or request such leave can amount to discrimination or victimization.

How are disability and reasonable accommodation handled

Employers must not discriminate due to disability and must make reasonable adjustments that enable a person with a disability to apply for, perform, or advance in a job, unless doing so would impose a disproportionate burden. Examples include modifying duties, adjusting schedules, or providing accessible equipment, taking into account the size and resources of the business.

What is the process for making a complaint in Arta

Start by documenting incidents, dates, witnesses, and any relevant messages or policies. Consider raising a written internal complaint following your employer policy. If this is unsafe or ineffective, you can file a complaint with the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate in the Epirus region. For public sector matters or broader equal treatment issues, you can apply to the Greek Ombudsman. You may also file a civil claim in the Court of First Instance in Arta. A lawyer can guide you through the correct sequence and venue.

Who has the burden of proof in discrimination cases

Once you present facts indicating discrimination, the legal burden shifts to the employer to prove that there was no breach. This can make contemporaneous evidence such as emails, performance data, job ads, and witness statements very important.

Can I secretly record conversations as evidence

Greek rules on recordings are strict and unlawfully obtained recordings can create legal risks. Courts sometimes treat evidence rules differently in civil cases, but this area is complex. Before recording any conversation, seek legal advice. Safer options include keeping detailed written notes, saving written communications, and asking for written confirmation of decisions.

What remedies can I get if I prove discrimination

Available remedies may include compensation for financial loss and moral harm, correction of your employment record, equalization of pay and benefits, cessation of harassment, and in certain cases reinstatement with back pay if a dismissal is found discriminatory. Authorities can also impose fines or orders on the employer to change practices.

How fast do I need to act and how long do cases take

Some employment claims must be filed within short periods, in some situations within months. Because deadlines vary by claim type, contact a lawyer promptly. Labour court proceedings in Greece are designed to be faster than ordinary civil cases, but timing depends on complexity, evidence, and court schedules in Arta. Early preparation and complete documentation help keep the process efficient.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Labour Inspectorate - Epirus Regional Directorate. This authority receives complaints, conducts inspections, mediates, and can impose sanctions in employment matters.

Greek Ombudsman - Equality Body. Independent authority that investigates equal treatment violations, with a particular role in the public sector and systemic discrimination issues.

Court of First Instance of Arta - Labour disputes are heard under specialized procedures within the civil courts.

Bar Association of Arta - Can provide contact information for local employment and discrimination lawyers.

Public Employment Service DYPA - Guidance for jobseekers and information on employment rights.

Trade unions such as GSEE and ADEDY - Assistance with workplace grievances and representation.

Research Centre for Gender Equality KETHI - Information and support on gender equality and harassment issues.

National Commission for Human Rights - Policy and guidance on anti discrimination standards in Greece.

Next Steps

Write down a clear timeline of what happened, including dates, people involved, and any witnesses. Collect and safely store relevant documents such as contracts, policies, emails, messages, pay slips, and performance records. Avoid sharing sensitive evidence on social media. Review your employer policies on complaints and anti harassment to consider an internal report where safe. Seek legal advice quickly to evaluate your options, preserve deadlines, and plan the best forum for your case. If appropriate, file a complaint with the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate in Epirus or the Greek Ombudsman, and consider sending a formal lawyer letter to your employer to stop the conduct and open negotiations. If informal resolution fails, your lawyer can file a claim in the Court of First Instance in Arta, request interim measures where necessary, and pursue compensation or reinstatement. Acting early and keeping thorough evidence will significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.