Awareness of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is growing among Polish employers, but significant gaps remain. Recent studies show that only half of Polish employers understand diversity management, despite its proven benefits: DEI initiatives enhance collaboration, creativity, productivity, employee retention, competitiveness, and innovation revenue.

Poland lacks a specific legal framework for DEI beyond general anti-discrimination laws, which allow temporary and proportional affirmative action to ensure equal opportunities for vulnerable groups (e.g. by gender, age, disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation).

In practice, Polish DEI initiatives include:

• Mentorship programmes to empower underrepresented employees towards leadership roles.

• Business resource groups (BRGs) for shared identity or interest groups, fostering inclusion.

• Training to address discrimination, unconscious bias, and promote awareness.

• Diverse sourcing and affirmative action, applied carefully within legal limits.

• Inclusive policies, e.g. supporting families and employees with disabilities.

• Friendly arrangements, such as quiet rooms, contemplation rooms, psychological support, and flexible work options.

Employers aiming to build a DEI-focused environment should identify employee needs, engage managers, link DEI to People & Culture processes, establish a DEI budget, integrate DEI into core company values, include DEI goals in leadership KPIs, and measure progress with dedicated tools.

The article was published on the Chambers website. Click HERE to read the full article.