Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion

Rights at work

Group of construction workers in a construction site with the afternoon sky in the background

© Yuttana Studio / Adobe Stock

Every EU worker has certain minimum rights relating to:

  • health and safety at work: general rights and obligations, workplaces, work equipment, specific risks and vulnerable workers
  • equal opportunities for women and men: equal treatment at work, pregnancy, maternity leave, parental leave
  • protection against discrimination based on sex, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation
  • labour law: part-time work, fixed-term contracts, working hours, employment of young people, informing and consulting employees

Individual EU countries must make sure that their national laws protect these rights laid down by EU employment laws (Directives).

If you feel that your rights have not been respected, the first place to go is a labour inspectorate, employment tribunal, etc. in your country.

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