Salaries in Poland under the microscope. The PIE report reveals what we really think about the earnings of our colleagues at the desk next to us

20 percent women declared that they had experienced discrimination at work due to gender; 47 percent did not have such experiences – according to the PIE study. At the same time, 66 percent women believe that there is systemic gender discrimination in the labor market.

The majority of employees (66%) believe that women are treated less fairly in the labor market than men in matters related to employment, remuneration or promotion – according to the PIE study. At the same time, 14 percent respondents stated that there is equal treatment, and 4 percent – that men are systematically discriminated against.

The most common opinion among men was the belief that women and men are treated equally (35%). In turn, 24 percent respondents believe that women are systemically discriminated against. However, 16 percent men believe that men are treated less fairly.

Experienced discrimination was declared by 20 percent. women, and 38% felt unfair treatment at work. you. At the same time, 47 percent declared no such experience. The study shows that the sense of injustice at work is higher among mothers. 47 percent women with children declared that they had experienced unfair treatment, while 37 percent stated that they had not encountered such a situation.

According to PIE data, 75 percent men and 66 percent women believe that male and female colleagues in similar positions earn the same amount. At the same time, 21 percent men and 33 percent women believe that men earn more in the same positions.

The study shows that women are more likely to believe that discrimination is the cause of pay differences, while men refer to factors related to the specific nature and efficiency of work.

Among female employees who declared that men in their companies earn more in the same positions, 43 percent pointed to cultural prejudices and stereotypes regarding gender roles. In a similar group of men, 21 percent agreed with this explanation. respondents. Men were more likely to indicate differences in productivity (39% vs. 10% among women) and in the types of tasks and projects assigned (35% vs. 25%).

Both women and men mostly believed that their salaries were fairly set. On a scale from 0 to 10, values ​​above 5 were indicated by 60 percent. men and 55 percent women. A similar percentage declares satisfaction with the level of remuneration – 61% respectively. men and 57 percent you.

“Inequalities in the labor market may be indirect or structural, which is why they are not always clearly identified as individual experiences of discrimination,” said the authors of the study. They noted that the perception of inequality may be limited by lack of access to complete information about remuneration in organizations. Greater pay transparency, guaranteed by EU law, may influence the way people perceive their own situation and the scale of inequalities in the workplace, PIE experts emphasized.

The study was conducted using the CAWI method by PBS Spółka z o. o. commissioned by PIE, in October and November 2025, on a group of 3,000 people. 109 employees.

The Polish Economic Institute is a public economic think tank; prepares reports, analyzes and recommendations regarding key areas of the economy and social life. (PAP)

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