Based on the European Directives 2000/78/EC, 2000/43/EC and 2002/73/EC, the General Equal Treatment Act prohibits discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age and/or sexual identity in employment and in access to employment. This encompasses a prohibition of discrimination in recruitment processes and chances of promotion as well as in working conditions, including the prohibition of unequal wages. Furthermore, the protection from discrimination has to be guaranteed in access to vocational guidance and vocational training, as well as for members of an employees' or employers' federation.

Within this scope BUG provides legal support in cases of discrimination, such as discrimination on the grounds of a chronic illness or on grounds of religion or lack of religious affiliation.