Advertising & Civil Status Discrimination
Discrimination on the ‘civil status ground’ happens where there is less favourable treatment of one person compared to another person because they are of different civil status. ‘Civil status’ is defined as being single, married, separated or divorced, widowed, in a civil partnership or being a former civil partner in a civil partnership that has ended by death or, been dissolved
Report inequality in advertising
If you have come across an advertisement that you believe discriminates on the civil status ground, you can report it here.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission or contact the advertiser directly in response to discriminatory advertising.
If you believe an advertisement directly affects your access to employment, you can complain directly to the Workplace Relations Commission.
What's covered?
What's not covered?
Case Studies
Search database for more case studies
What's next?
Make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the body that hears discrimination complaints under Ireland’s equality laws. The WRC deals with both employment and service/goods related claims. There is no fee to bring a case to the WRC and complaints can be made online.
Learn more about the WRC process
Contact us
We, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, have a statutory role to fight discrimination and provide information on equality and human rights in Ireland. Please note however that we are not a court and we do not decide on discrimination claims.
Learn more about how to contact us
Contact another organisation
You may find that another organisation could better help you with your issue.
-
Legal advice
Free Legal Advice Centres
The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) provide confidential, basic legal advice for free and in person across all areas of law. FLAC offers a network of advice clinics around Ireland and you may be able to identify the most suitable one at the following link: Legal Advice Clinic.
Free Legal Advice Centres,
13 Lower Dorset Street,
Dublin 1,
Ireland
Phone: Lo-Call: 1890 350 250
Web: https://www.flac.ie/
-
Anti-racism
INAR (the Irish Network Against Racism)
INAR (the Irish Network Against Racism) is a national network of anti-racism civil society organisations which aims to work collectively to highlight and address the issue of racism in Ireland.
Irish Network Against Racism
28 North Great George’s Street
Dublin 1
REPORT RACISM: www.iReport.ie -
Personal data protection
Data Protection Commissioner
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner was established to protect individuals’ right to privacy by enabling people to exercise control over how their personal information is used, in accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. If a person or organisation holds personal information about you on computer or on paper file, you may ask them if they hold such information and to give you access to it. Section 3 of the Data Protection Acts provides that you have a right to find out and/or be given a description free of charge, of information held about you. Section 4 of the Data Protection Acts says that you have a right to obtain a copy of such information.
Data Protection Commissioner
Canal House
Station Road
Portarlington
Co. Laois -
Migrant and refugee rights
Nasc
Nasc is the Irish word for “link”. They link migrants and refugees to their rights.
34 Paul Street, 1st Floor
Cork City, T12 W14H
-
Employment rights / Equal treatment in services
Workplace Relations Commission
Information and Customer Services (ICS), formerly known as Workplace Relations Customer Services, is responsible for the provision of information relating to employment rights, equality and industrial relations matters by means of a telephone call-in service manned by experienced Information Officers
Information and Customer Services
Workplace Relations Commission
O’Brien Road
Carlow
R93 E920
Phone: 059 9178990 | Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 * (09.30 - 17.00, Monday to Friday)
Web: https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/contact_us/contact-details/
-
Disability rights
National Disability Authority
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to the Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities.
25 Clyde Rd
Ballsbridge
Dublin, D04 E409 -
Immigration and asylum
The Refugee Legal Service
The Legal Aid Board provides confidential and independent legal services to persons applying for international protection in Ireland. If you are applying for international protection in Ireland, you can obtain legal advice and assistance from the Legal Aid Board to assist you with your application. You may register with the Legal Aid Board at any stage of the asylum process, but it is advisable to do so at the earliest possible stage of the process.
The Refugee Legal Service
48-49 North Brunswick Street
George’s Lane
Dublin 7 -
Community law and mediation
Community Law & Mediation
Community Law & Mediation is a community law centre which provides free legal advice, advocacy and mediation and education services.
Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, Ireland
Tel: (01) 847 7804
Email: info@communitylawandmediation.ie
Community Law & Mediation Limerick
Limerick Social Service Centre, Henry Street, Limerick, Ireland
Tel: (061) 536 100
Email: limerick@communitylawandmediation.iePhone: (01) 847 7804
-
Citizen's Information Centres
Citizen’s Information
Citizens Information Centres (CICs) provide free, impartial information, advice and advocacy from more than 215 locations around the country.
Find a Citizens Information Centre
https://centres.citizensinformation.ie/Phone: 0761 07 4000
-
Children's rights
Children’s Rights Alliance
Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Children’s Rights Alliance improves the lives of all children and young people by ensuring Ireland’s laws, policies and services comply with the standards set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Children’s Rights Alliance
7 Red Cow Lane
Smithfield
Dublin 7
Browse the database of organisations working on human rights and equality issues in Ireland.