employees on the basis of Section 178 of the German Social Security Code (SGB IX) and provides them with advice and support. It is an elected, voluntary body. The SBV ensures that the employer fulfils the duties [...] Office Under the provisions of the General Equal Treatment Act, employees may complain to the competent authority if, in the context of their employment relationship, they believe they have been unequally [...] through the conduct of their employer, their superiors, other employees or third parties on the basis of race, ethnic origin, gender, religion or world view, disability, age or sexual identity. For the purposes