Selected Manifestations of Discrimination as Perceived by Male Employees in Polish Companies: A Self-Study Research Account

Purpose – The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of unequal treatment of men employed in Polish enterprises and the level of knowledge possessed by the employees in terms of the rights of discriminated persons.Methodology – A survey was carried out using a survey questionnaire which included a total of 304 male employees in 12 surveyed enterprises, holding managerial and specialist positions, located in various functional areas of the organization.Findings – The research confirmed the phenomenon of discrimination against men in the workplace and low level of respondents’ knowledge on the rights of discriminated persons. The answers provided by male respondents show that the most frequently encountered type of discrimination in order of indication was discrimination on grounds of education, age, sex, while the least indicated kind of discrimination concerned disability.Research implications – The findings of this study may serve as a starting point to discover the causes of the phenomenon of discrimination in the workplace.Practical implications – The findings of this study may be used by employers to develop programs against discrimination and to educate employees in identifying and responding to cases of unequal treatment in the workplace.Social implications – The findings of this study may increase the general knowledge on the phenomenon of discrimination in the workplace.Originality/Value – The article complements the knowledge on the selected manifestations of discrimination, the prevalence of unequal treatment of men in their working life and the level of knowledge possessed by the respondents in terms of the rights of discriminated persons.Type of article – A research article.