During the first three quarters of this year, there were 795 complaints regarding suspicions of mobbing actions. This represents a 12.8% decline compared to the same period last year when there were 912 such cases, according to data from the National Labor Inspectorate. The vast majority of these complaints are signed, even though there has been a decrease compared to the previous year. During the discussed period of this year, 740 inspections were also undertaken — 12.9% less than the previous year when there were 850. Of all the complaints received, only 71 were found to be justified, the same number as in the equivalent period last year.
A Smaller Number of Complaints
The data provided by the National Labor Inspectorate–Main Inspectorate of Labor indicate a 12.8% decrease in the number of complaints in the first three quarters of this year (795) compared to the same period last year (912). Wioletta Żukowska-Czaplicka, socio-economic expert of the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs (FPP), is relieved by the declining number of complaints two years running.
The unanswered question is why this decline is happening. Did the scale of the problem decrease or employees don’t want to report such cases as the effectiveness of the inspectorate’s actions is low and they usually end up in court? The definition of mobbing in the Labor Code, which has been discussed for many years, is also one of the problems related to seeking justice in mobbing cases. It is linked to the need to meet all the premises indicated in this provision – Żukowska-Czaplicka adds.
Regardless, the understanding of what mobbing is steadily growing across our society, amongst employees and employers alike. This should be a positive sign. – The labor market is radically different from 10 years ago. Behaviors that were once overlooked are no longer tolerated.
A Phenomenon Difficult to Prove
Michał Pajdak from the e-Psycholodzy.pl platform suspects that employers, with increasing awareness of the issue, implement appropriate anti-mobbing procedures and support open communication in such matters. He comments on the near 800 reports of mobbing as being a significant number, given the difficulty in detecting and proving such behaviors, and the reluctance of those affected to lodge official complaints.
A Decrease in the Number of Anonymous Complaints
The data also show that the number of complaints signed by applicants is decreasing. In the first three quarters of last year, the PIP received 57 anonymous and 855 signed complaints. In the same period this year, there were 43 and 752 respectively.
Fewer Audits
In the first three quarters of this year, the number of audits decreased by 12.9%. According to Michal Pajdak, this may be due to the aforementioned smaller number of complaints, staff shortages at PIP, or a greater focus on more complex, time-consuming cases. It’s worth comparing this with other data.
What Will Happen Next?
Both officials find it difficult to predict the future number of complaints. Żukowska-Czaplicka from FPP emphasizes that the law protecting whistleblowers effective from September 2024 does not include mobbing. Pajdak believes that the number of complaints in the coming months will remain relatively stable, but the ultimate scale will depend on factors such as employee awareness, the changing economic situation and labor market, and the information policy of the PIP.
Michał Murgrabia concludes, “The number of audits initiated can be assumed to remain at a similar level, with a possible increase if the PIP decides to allocate more resources to work condition inspections. It is hard to predict an increase in the number of justified complaints. This largely depends on the quality and completeness of the reports and whether employees have clear evidence of mobbing.”
Source: https://managerplus.pl/polacy-niezbyt-chetnie-zglaszaja-mobbing-pokazuja-to-najnowsze-dane-glownego-inspektoratu-pracy-30891
