ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the contradiction between the widely held view of Polish society as homogeneous, and the reality. Poland is an ethnically and religiously homogeneous country. The traditional culture is characterised by high power distance and a lack of tolerance for diversity. The traditional image of a Pole includes qualities such as pride, obstinacy, generosity, hospitality, religious tolerance, patriotism, inclination to make sacrifices for the fatherland and aversion to compromise. The modern culture values individualism and can increase competition, thus fostering mobbing aimed at weakening the competitor, and decreasing the sensitivity to injustice. Research confirms that the significant characteristics of Polish national culture are transmitted into organisational culture. The legislation obliges employers to counteract mobbing and makes them responsible for the actions of employees in the workplace. A victim of mobbing can claim compensation from the employer for work-related injury or illness.
