Guide to hiring employees in Poland

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Employee benefits in Poland

Mandatory benefits 

Some statutory requirements that employers provide are as follows: 

Social insurance
Social insurance in Poland includes contributions towards the following funds:

Fund	Employer Contribution	Employee Contribution
Pension Fund	9.76%	9.76%
Disability Fund	6.5%	1.5%
Sickness Fund	0%	2.45%
Accident Fund	0.67% - 3.33%	0%
Labor Fund	2.45%	0%
Health Insurance	0%	9%
Guaranteed Employee Benefits Fund	0.1%	0%

 

Occupational health and safety training
Employers in Poland have a number of obligations related to health and safety. They are responsible for holding regular training courses for employees to educate them about health and safety provisions and regulations. They must also provide free personal protective equipment (PPE) and instructions on how to use it. 

Supplementary benefits

Supplementary benefits often provided in Poland include:

• Private healthcare insurance
• Business travel insurance
• Group life insurance
• Employer-sponsored gym memberships
• Education, training or language course funds

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Working hours in Poland

Working hours in Poland are typically eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Under certain conditions, workers may work for a maximum of 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week.

Employers are required to provide employees with at least 11 hours of rest between each working day, and a minimum of 24 hours of uninterrupted rest each week. Employees are also entitled to a break of at least 15 minutes for every six hours worked.

Overtime work is allowed in Poland, but it is subject to additional compensation, with overtime pay of at least 150% of the regular hourly rate. In some cases, employees may be required to work on weekends or public holidays, and these days are also subject to additional compensation.

It's important to note that the maximum working hours, breaks, and overtime compensation may vary depending on the industry and the type of employment contract.

Types of leave available in Poland

Annual leave

Polish employees are granted annual leave depending on their length of service. Those who have worked for the company for less than 10 years receive 20 days of annual leave, while those who have worked for at least 10 years receive 26 days. Employees are eligible for their first annual leave after completing one month of service.

If you graduate from certain schools, the time you spent in those schools will be included in your employment period. This is important because the length of your leave is based on your total employment period:

Type of School	Duration
Basic or equivalent vocational	Duration of the syllabus, not more than three years
Secondary vocational	Duration of the syllabus, not more than five years
Secondary vocational (for graduates of basic vocational schools)	5 years
Middle comprehensive	4 years
Post-comprehensive	6 years
School of higher education	8 years

Companies with fewer than 50 full-time employees are required to pay holiday allowance of 1,550.26zł. This is paid to each employee once a year, as long as at least one part of their annual leave lasts for at least 14 consecutive days. 

Maternity leave

Maternity leave in Poland is as follows: 

Number of children born	Weeks of Maternity Leave
One	20 weeks
Two (twins)	31 weeks
Three (triplets)	33 weeks
Four (quadruplets)	35 weeks
Five and more (Multiple births of five or more)	37 weeks

A mother can transfer the remainder of her leave to her child's father after her 14 weeks of maternity leave.

Additionally, new mothers are entitled to 32 weeks of parental leave (or 34 in the case of multiple births) once the maternity leave has ended.

Parental leave

Employees can work half-time while on parental leave, at the discretion of the employer. The allowance is then reduced accordingly, and the leave is extended to up to 68 weeks. 

All insured fathers are eligible for two weeks of paid paternity leave, which they can use up until the child is two years old. Paternity leave is granted upon written request and paid in the amount of 100% of the salary. 

Childcare leave

Childcare leave can be taken for up to 36 months, but only until the child turns five years old. An employee must have been employed for at least six months to be eligible for childcare leave. 

Training/study leave

Employees who improve their professional qualifications either at the employer’s request or with their consent can receive training leave, in accordance with regulations in the Labour Code.

Source: Pexels/Artem Podrez

Sickness leave

If an employee is unable to work due to illness for a period of up to 33 days, they are eligible to receive 80% of their salary during sick leave. In the event of illness of a pregnant employee (within the same time frame), employees are eligible to receive 100% of their salary. 

If the employee’s illness lasts longer than 33 days, the  Social Insurance Agency will pay out sickness insurance to the employee.

Public holidays in Poland

Poland observes the following public holidays:*

Holiday	Date	Day
New Year's Day	January 1	Saturday
Epiphany	January 6	Thursday
Easter Sunday	April 17	Sunday
Easter Monday	April 18	Monday
Labor Day	May 1	Sunday
Constitution Day	May 3	Tuesday
Whit Sunday	June 5	Sunday
Corpus Christi	June 16	Thursday
Assumption of Mary	August 15	Monday
All Saints' Day	November 1	Tuesday
Independence Day	November 11	Friday
Christmas Eve	December 24	Saturday
Christmas Day	December 25	Sunday
Second Day of Christmas	December 26	Monday

*All dates are correct for 2023

Employees may be granted a paid day off within a particular time scale if a public holiday falls on a Saturday.

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Are background checks mandatory in Poland?

In Poland, background checks are not mandatory for all job positions. However, some employers may choose to conduct background checks as part of their recruitment process to ensure the candidate's suitability for the role, especially for positions with access to sensitive information or working with vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly. Additionally, certain industries or positions may require background checks by law, such as those related to finance, banking, or public safety.

Attracting talent in Poland

A highly motivated workforce

Poland’s workforce is motivated, hardworking and ambitious, as well as incredibly well-educated - seven out of ten young adults who have a tertiary degree also have a master’s qualification. This is more than twice the average across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to build relationships with the universities in Poland when recruiting talent in the country. Both Warsaw and Krakow have a large graduate talent pool, producing 59,000 and 40,000 graduates per year, respectively. That means that entry-level positions are a great opportunity to fill with younger talent excited by the prospect of entering the working world. 

A number of organisations in Poland have established relationships with local universities to tap into this talent pool before students graduate. This is often done via sponsoring or outreach programmes. 

With such a motivated workforce, it’s also important for employers looking to expand in Poland to consider offering benefits that promote growth and development. For example, organisations could offer training and development programs that enable employees to improve their skills and boost their career prospects.

A growing economy

Poland's growing economy has been a significant factor in attracting talent to the country. In recent years, Poland has achieved steady economic growth, outpacing many other countries in the region. The country's strategic location in Central Europe has made it a natural hub for international businesses looking to expand their operations in the region. This has led to a thriving job market, with plenty of opportunities for local and foreign workers. The country has also invested heavily in infrastructure and technology, making it an attractive destination for tech talent.

Moreover, Poland is an ideal destination for foreign investors due to its low labour costs, access to a large talent pool, and favourable tax incentives. The country's pro-business environment and stable political climate have also contributed to its growing economy, creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

As a result, Poland has seen a significant increase in foreign direct investment in recent years, with many multinational companies establishing their regional headquarters in the country. This has created a high demand for skilled professionals in various fields, including finance, IT, and engineering, among others.

The steady economic growth has also translated to higher salaries and better working conditions for employees, making Poland an attractive destination for job seekers looking for a better quality of life.

Diversity and quality of life 

Poland's diversity is another factor that can attract talent to the country. The country has a long and complex history, with influences from various cultures and traditions. As a result, Poland is home to diverse communities, each with its own unique customs, languages, and lifestyles. This diversity can make Poland an attractive destination for those seeking a multicultural experience, as it allows individuals to learn about and appreciate different perspectives.

Poland also offers a high quality of life, which can be an attractive factor for job seekers. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, with modern hospitals and clinics that provide comprehensive medical care. Additionally, Poland is known for its safety, with low crime rates and a strong police force. The country also provides excellent social services, including affordable housing, education, and childcare.

Poland's natural scenery is also a draw for many people. The country has beautiful forests, lakes, and mountains, which offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities. In addition, Poland has a rich cultural heritage, with many historic sites, museums, and festivals that celebrate the country's traditions and history. Finally, Poland's cities offer a vibrant social scene, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment options for residents to enjoy.

Termination of employment in Poland

Notice period

Minimum statutory notice period in Poland depends on the number of years the employee has worked with the company:

Length of employment	Notice period
Less than 6 months	2 weeks
At least 6 months but less than 3 years	1 month
At least 3 years	3 months

A fixed-term contract can be terminated with two weeks’ notice if it is concluded for at least six months and there is a termination clause in the contract. 

Probation period

In Poland, the probationary period can last up to 3 months for an indefinite employment contract, and up to 6 months for a fixed-term employment contract of more than 6 months.

During this period, either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment contract with immediate effect, without the need to provide a reason. However, this termination cannot be discriminatory or against the principles of social coexistence.

Additionally, the employer must give the employee a written evaluation of their work during the probationary period.

Severance pay

In Poland, employees are entitled to severance pay if their employment contract is terminated due to reasons not related to their performance or behaviour, such as the company going bankrupt or the employer deciding to lay off employees for economic reasons.

The amount of severance pay is determined by the length of employment with the company, as follows:

Length of employment	Severance pay
Less than 2 years	1 month's salary
At least 2 years but less than 8 years	2 months' salary
At least 8 years	3 months' salary

However, if the employee was terminated due to their own fault, they are not entitled to receive severance pay.

Minimum retirement age 

In Poland, the minimum retirement age is 65 for men and 60 for women. However, it is possible to retire earlier if certain conditions are met. For example, women who have at least 35 years of pensionable service or men who have at least 40 years of pensionable service can retire at the age of 60.

Additionally, both men and women can retire at the age of 65 if they have at least 20 years of pensionable service.

Source: Pexels/fauxels