I experienced discrimination while job hunting, flat hunting or at work. Where can I get help?

What the law says: The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) prohibits discrimination based on ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual identity. It applies at work (job ads, interviews, pay, promotion, dismissal) and in everyday transactions (renting, shopping, insurance and so on).

Deadlines matter: Under the AGG you usually have to assert your claims in writing within two months of the incident. An extension of this deadline is being discussed; ask a counselling centre about the current deadline. Act without delay.

Collect evidence: Write down what happened straight away, with dates, times and names (Gedächtnisprotokoll). Keep emails, messages, ads and witness details. You do not have to fully prove the discrimination yourself; showing indications of discrimination can be enough.

Where to turn: The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes) offers free, confidential advice: 0800 546 5465. Berlin has many free counselling centres; you can find the right one in the Berlin Senate's counselling guide. At work you can also go to the internal complaints office and, if there is one, the works council (Betriebsrat).

If a public authority discriminates: If a Berlin public body (for example a Bürgeramt, a school, the police or other state authorities) discriminated against you, the Berlin State Anti-Discrimination Act (LADG) applies. The LADG Ombudsstelle offers free support; the deadline for complaints is one year.