On April 9th, 2025, the University of Rzeszów hosted a conference entitled “Stress – Friend or Foe? Eliminating Psychosocial Risks, including Mobbing”, organised in collaboration with the District Labour Inspectorate in Rzeszów. The primary objective of the event was to acquaint employers and employees with effective methods for preventing and addressing psychosocial risks in the workplace.

The conference gathered representatives of public administration, local authorities, the University’s governing bodies, entrepreneurs, employers, academic staff, and students. In his address, Chief Labour Inspector Marcin Stanecki underscored the growing prevalence of psychosocial hazards, such as workplace bullying, and reaffirmed that the State Labour Inspectorate has designated their elimination as a strategic priority for 2025.

“This year, the State Labour Inspectorate aims to focus particularly on psychosocial risks at work. We want to highlight workplace violence, especially bullying. This toxic atmosphere is becoming increasingly common,” stated Marcin Stanecki, Chief Labour Inspector.

According to the State Labour Inspectorate, in 2024 alone, the District Labour Inspectorate in Rzeszów, including its branches in Krosno, Tarnobrzeg, and Przemyśl, received a total of 1,943 complaints and requests, of which 125 concerned bullying and 40 involved discrimination.

Rector of the University of Rzeszów, Professor Adam Reich, emphasized the importance of hosting such initiatives within the University, noting that the academic environment provides a vital platform for addressing complex and socially relevant issues.

“I am very pleased that this conference is taking place at the University, as it reflects my core message as Rector: to make the University of Rzeszów a space for exchanging ideas and engaging in meaningful discussions on difficult topics,” stated Professor Reich.

The event was attended by Members of the Polish Parliament, Zdzisław Gawlik and Adam Dziedzic; representatives of the Podkarpackie regional authorities, including Deputy Voivode Wiesław Buż, Deputy Marshal Karol Ożóg, and Rzeszów County Mayor Krzysztof Jarosz; as well as delegates from District Labour Inspectorates across Poland, higher education institutions, public administration bodies, law enforcement agencies, regional local government offices, trade unions, entrepreneurs, and employees.

As part of the conference programme, Chief Labour Inspector Marcin Stanecki also met with students from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Rzeszów.