Along with discriminationbased on phenotypical observations, the threat of experiencing social exclusion also exists for socially disadvantaged groups. In a sociopolitical analysis, this is documented in areas pertaining to education, accessibility to housing, and employment.

Article 14  of the European Convention on Human Rights says, “the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized by this convention shall be guaranteed (…) without discrimination based on gender, race, skin color, language, religion, politics or other convictions, national or social origin, the belonging to a minority group, property, birth or any other status.”. Likewise, the Charter of Basic Rights of the EU includes “social status” in their catalogue of discriminatory practices.

A contemporary anti-discrimination policy should respond to societal problem areas.

Other European countries have established “social status” as a ground to be protected from discrimination. § 4 of the Bulgarian law protecting against discrimination lists in its categories for discrimination “race,” ethnicity, skin color, gender, language, religion, political alignment or other convictions, national or social origin, property, union membership, level of education, social status, marriage or other status of family, age, health status, disability, genetic conditions, gender identity or awareness, and sexual orientation.

Beyond the other supplements listed elsewhere, it is recommended to include the discrimination category “social status” in § 1 AGG.