Poland reports high levels of workplace toxicity in SD Worx study

A report by SD Worx, titled “2026 HR & Payroll Pulse,” reveals that 27% of Polish employees have experienced toxic or harmful behavior from colleagues. This rate is higher than the European average of 24.8%.

The study highlights that younger workers are most affected, with 31.2% of those under age 25 reporting such experiences, compared to 4.4% of employees aged 65 and older. Gender also plays a role, as 28.7% of women reported toxic behaviors compared to 24.7% of men. Additionally, 24% of Polish employees believe their manager has a toxic influence on the team.

Poland ranks among the highest in Europe for workplace toxicity, trailing only Italy, France, and Spain. In contrast, countries like Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands reported significantly lower percentages. Experts suggest that toxic environments often stem from subtle issues like a lack of feedback or being ignored, rather than overt malice, emphasizing the need for better leadership training and communication tools.