💼 Employment RightsWorkplace Harassment & Discrimination Laws in Poland — Know Your Rights
Understand your rights against workplace harassment and discrimination in Poland. Learn what the law protects, what steps to take, and where to get help.
Last verified: April 2026
In Poland, employees are protected against harassment and discrimination at work by the Labour Code (Kodeks pracy) and European Union directives that Poland has incorporated into national law. These protections cover a wide range of characteristics and apply to all stages of employment, from recruitment to termination. Knowing your rights can help you recognize unlawful treatment and take effective action to stop it.
⚖️ Your Key Rights
- ✓You have the right to work free from discrimination based on sex, age, disability, race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, trade union membership, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and type of employment contract (permanent or fixed-term).
- ✓You have the right to protection against mobbing (workplace bullying), defined under Polish law as persistent and prolonged harassment or intimidation that causes you to have a diminished professional self-assessment, humiliates you, ridicules you, or isolates you from colleagues.
- ✓You have the right to equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, regardless of any of the protected characteristics listed in the Labour Code.
- ✓You have the right to claim compensation in court if you suffer discrimination or mobbing — the minimum compensation for discrimination is equal to the minimum wage, with no upper statutory limit.
- ✓You have the right to resign from your job due to mobbing and claim compensation from your employer without losing your entitlement to unemployment benefits, provided you can show the mobbing caused significant harm to your health.
- ✓You have the right to file a complaint with the National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy) without fear of retaliation from your employer.
- ✓You have the right to have your employer take preventive and corrective measures against harassment — employers have a legal duty to counteract discrimination and mobbing in the workplace.
📋 Common Situations Explained
Being passed over for promotion due to gender or age
If you are repeatedly denied a promotion and have reason to believe it is because of your sex or age, this may constitute direct discrimination under the Labour Code. In Polish law, once you present facts suggesting discrimination, the burden of proof shifts to the employer to demonstrate that their decision was based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons.
A manager repeatedly humiliates or isolates you at work
If a supervisor consistently belittles you in front of colleagues, excludes you from meetings, or spreads false information about your performance over a prolonged period, this may qualify as mobbing under Article 94³ of the Labour Code. You should document every incident with dates, times, and any witnesses, as evidence is crucial in mobbing cases.
Receiving a lower salary than colleagues doing the same job
Polish law requires equal pay for equal work or work of equal value. If you discover you are paid significantly less than a colleague of a different sex or nationality performing the same role at the same level, you may have a claim for pay discrimination. You can raise this internally first, then escalate to the Labour Inspectorate or a court.
Harassment related to pregnancy or maternity leave
Terminating or threatening to terminate an employment contract because an employee is pregnant or on maternity leave is unlawful in Poland. Similarly, demoting a returning mother or creating a hostile environment upon her return may constitute both discrimination and mobbing. Special protection for pregnant employees applies from the moment the employer is informed of the pregnancy.
Unwanted sexual comments or advances from a colleague or manager
Sexual harassment is treated as a form of gender-based discrimination under the Labour Code. This includes unwanted physical contact, sexually explicit remarks, or requests for sexual favors tied to employment benefits. Your employer has a legal obligation to respond to and investigate complaints of sexual harassment promptly.
🚀 What To Do
- 1Document everything: keep a written record of every incident of harassment or discrimination, noting the date, time, location, what was said or done, and the names of any witnesses. Save any relevant emails, messages, or documents.
- 2Report the issue internally: most companies are required to have internal procedures for handling complaints. Submit a formal written complaint to your HR department, anti-mobbing committee (if one exists), or directly to senior management if the harasser is your direct supervisor.
- 3Contact the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP): if the internal complaint is ignored or handled inadequately, you can file a complaint with the PIP, which has the authority to investigate workplace conditions and impose fines on employers who violate the Labour Code.
- 4Seek medical documentation if your health has been affected: if the harassment or mobbing has caused psychological or physical harm, visit a doctor and obtain written records. Medical evidence is particularly important in mobbing compensation claims.
- 5Consult a lawyer or trade union: speak with an employment lawyer or your trade union representative to evaluate the strength of your case and understand what compensation or remedies you may be entitled to before proceeding to court.
- 6File a claim in the Labour Court (Sąd Pracy): if other avenues fail, you can bring a civil case before the Labour Court. Cases are generally heard free of charge for employees, and the court can award compensation, order reinstatement, or require the employer to take corrective action.
👨⚖️ When to Get a Lawyer
You should seek professional legal advice if your employer retaliates against you for making a complaint, if your health has been seriously affected by mobbing, or if you are considering filing a court claim for compensation. An employment lawyer can help you gather evidence, calculate potential damages, and represent you effectively in Labour Court proceedings.
🔗 Official Resources
Have a specific question?
Describe your exact situation and get a personalised answer — free.
Ask Rightify →This guide provides general legal information only, not legal advice. Laws may change — always verify with official sources or a qualified lawyer.