Is this discrimination?
When is something discrimination? We understand that can sometimes be quite tricky. Are you rejected for a job as a truck driver because you don't have a driver's license? Then that's not discrimination. But are you rejected because you are a woman, or Muslim, or gay? Then it is discrimination. Below is a short explanation. Where does your report belong?
What is that anyway, discrimination?
Discrimination is the unequal treatment and disadvantage of (groups of) people on the basis of characteristics on which you are not allowed to make a distinction. Think of origin, gender, skin color, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability or chronic illness.
There are different types of discrimination. Not sure if you or someone else is being discriminated against? Read about different grounds and areas of discrimination below. Not sure? Then feel free to contact us.
What is your complaint about?
There are 12 grounds of discrimination:
If you are treated unequally, excluded or (hostile) because of your origin or skin color.
If you are treated unequally compared to someone with permanent employment. For example, that you would not receive a thirteenth month because you have a temporary employment contract.
If you are treated unequally depending on part-time or full-time employment. For example, that a part-timer receives a lower hourly wage than a full-timer for the same work.
If you do not get a job because you have a chronic illness or cannot enter a building or participate in an event because of your wheelchair.
If you are treated unequally based on your cohabitation (as recognized in the Netherlands).
If you are treated unequally based on your gender. Think lower pay for the same work, discrimination based on pregnancy or in recruitment and selection. This can also apply to trans people who are discriminated against.
If you are treated unequally based on your religion. Think of not being hired at a Christian institution because you yourself are not Christian. It is also about being treated unfairly because you wear a yarmulke or headscarf.
You are treated unequally because you are "too old" or "too young" for a job, for example. This may also involve commercial exclusion. For example, being excluded for insurance because of your age.
If you are discriminated against because of your philosophy of life. By philosophy of life we mean a system of ideas involving fundamental beliefs about human existence.
Certain goods and services are not available to you because you do not have Dutch nationality or a residence permit or on less favorable terms. This form of discrimination often happens, for example, when taking out telephone subscriptions.
If you are discriminated against, hostile or denied services because of your political affiliation.
If you are discriminated against because of your sexual orientation.
If you have a complaint that does not (yet) fall within the scope of equal treatment legislation. This concerns the most diverse characteristics on which you can be discriminated against. Think of appearance (for example tattoos or hairstyle), an Amsterdam accent, your social position, insufficient assertiveness and skills, your income, place of residence or style of dress.
There are 13 areas of discrimination:
These are problems that arise at your work. For example, during a job application, on the shop floor or in case of a difference in working conditions. But also, for example, an employment agency that refuses to hire you because of your headscarf or an internship company that rejects you because of your sexual orientation.
These include complaints that deal with discrimination by neighbors or neighborhood facilities.
This includes complaints about non-commercial organizations or government agencies. Think of municipal services, or social security agencies. But also complaints about bodies in the field of health care. For example, GGD, general practitioners, hospitals, company doctors, welfare such as social work and social cultural work.
Complaints can be about retail, financial services, or public transportation. Think about being treated unfairly by store personnel, being denied a mortgage or loan, or discrimination by checkers on the bus.
This includes complaints about discrimination based on race (origin and color) and gender in admission policies and social interaction in clubs, bars, restaurants, events and theaters.
These include, for example, complaints about housing mediation and housing allocation. They also include the actions or inactions of housing cooperatives.
Complaints about expressions in the media are about the medium in question (TV, radio, Internet, magazines) and not about the expressions relayed by the medium. Consider a complaint about a TV program in which a politician makes certain statements. Complaints about advertising may be about expressions that contribute to the perpetuation of certain prejudices, such as the stereotypical portrayal of certain groups.
This includes all complaints related to education. Think of complaints about school recommendations, admission and enrollment. But also harm or treatment by teachers, principals and fellow students.
These are complaints that occur mostly on the street, in traffic, at subway stations, bus stops and at the market. They include, for example, abusive language where racist or other discriminatory slurs are hurled at your head on the street.
This includes complaints about discrimination by the police, the Alien Police, Identification and Human Trafficking Department (AVIM), the Royal Military Police and the Public Prosecution Service. For example, if the police treat you badly, insult you or do violence to you, or do not want to record a report of discrimination despite instructions to do so. Or stop or arrest you on the basis of ethnic profiling.
These complaints mainly relate to discriminatory treatment within relationships or family relationships. For example, because people do not accept that you have a "mixed" relationship.
This includes complaints that may be about statements made by, for example, politicians, public figures, columnists. These are often uttered in the media, during demonstrations or in publications (newspapers, books, magazines).
Complaints about discrimination in sports can include, for example, swearing on the sports field, but also on the accessibility of sports clubs to certain groups. Recreation includes amusement parks, campsites and allotments, for example.
Is your complaint not listed?
Do you still have a question? Feel free to contact us at 020 - 638 55 51 or send an email to regioamsterdam@discriminatie.nl. Or check out our frequently asked questions.
This is discrimination
Would you like to see examples of discrimination? Or know what we specifically do in such a case? Here you can see some cases where we have supported people.
A school discourages parents in advance from enrolling children with Down syndrome. This is done without investigating individual support needs.
A man is assaulted on the street by a group of youths. In the process, the group makes comments about his sexual orientation and that he is too feminine and should not paint his nails.
By default, a school does not invite a parent who has not paid the school fee or additional contribution to school activities.