PIP receives more and more such complaints. Is this just the beginning?

The National Labor Inspectorate (PIP) receives more and more complaints regarding discrimination. Data provided by Dziennik Gazeta Prawna show that three years ago there were 659 such complaints, while this year there are three times as many, reaching the level of approximately 2,000.

According to the newspaper’s findings, 775 complaints of unfair treatment were received in the first half of this year. That’s over 40 percent. more than in the same period last year, when there were 546.

There are more and more complaints to the National Labor Inspectorate regarding discrimination. Is this just the beginning?

Experts point out that so far, the second half of the year has been similar to the first in terms of the intensity of complaints. This year, however, the situation may change, due to the fact that at the beginning of November the provisions of the Act of June 19, 2026 amending the Act – Labor Code and the Act – Code of Civil Procedure (Journal of Laws of 2026, item 1046) will enter into force. They will define claims in the event of a violation of the principle of equal treatment as compensation for pecuniary damage in the form of compensation or non-pecuniary harm in the form of compensation, while varying their amount in the case of discrimination cases depending on whether such a violation was incidental or repeated. The minimum amount of compensation in the event of repeated violation of the principle of equal treatment will also be determined, at a level not lower than three times the minimum wage.

– When new regulations are implemented, more people start talking about a given issue, which makes employees want to verify whether the regulations are being complied with in their workplace. Conferences organized last year by the inspection in cooperation with organizations and institutions, which were aimed at raising awareness and knowledge about new regulations, were also important. – emphasizes Błażej Mądrzycki, vice-chairman of OPZZ, in a comment for the newspaper.

Data from the National Labor Inspectorate indicate that the most frequently raised allegations in the first half of this year include discrimination in determining remuneration based on gender (27 complaints were received, compared to 17 a year earlier). In second place are discriminatory actions when establishing or terminating an employment relationship due to disability (21 complaints, compared to 12 a year ago), and in third place are actions when establishing or terminating an employment relationship based on gender (20 and 8 complaints, respectively).

Moreover, employees report irregularities in promotions and granting benefits, as well as in selecting candidates to participate in training to improve professional qualifications. In addition to age, gender and disability, trade union membership, nationality, religion or political beliefs are also to be discriminatory factors.

As for the validity of complaints, this year the National Labor Inspectorate found it valid in 72 notifications, noting that 119 complaints are still being considered. A year ago, 43 complaints were found to be justified.