My employer didn't tell me about a vacancy I could have applied for. Were they obliged to?

What the Law Says

EU law does not establish a general duty for employers to proactively inform employees about internal job vacancies. Instead, it leaves such matters to national legislation, collective agreements, and employment contracts — while requiring that all rules respect fundamental rights and principles like equal treatment and transparency.

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the right to fair and just working conditions (Article 31), but this does not create a specific obligation to advertise internal vacancies to existing staff.

The EU Equal Treatment Directive (2006/54/EC) prohibits discrimination in access to employment, including promotion — but only requires equal opportunity, not proactive notification.

National laws may go further: for example, some Member States require internal vacancy announcements as part of transparency or anti-discrimination measures — but this is not mandated by EU law itself.

Statutory Text

This Directive shall not affect the right of Member States to maintain or introduce provisions which are more favourable to the achievement of equal opportunities.

— Directive 2006/54/EC, Art. 3 — Equal treatment in employment

Statutory Text

Every worker has the right of access to appropriate placement services.

— Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, Art. 29 — Right to placement services

Sources