Maximum Working Hours & Overtime Laws in Poland
Standard hours
Working hours are usually from8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM,often with up to one hour of an unpaid break for lunch.
On average, employees are expected to work 40 hours per week (8 hours a day - 5 days a week).
Overtime
Working time cannot exceed 8 hours in 24 hours. The average 5-day work week should equal 40 hours in a reference period of four months or less.
Opt-out option
Opting out of the maximum 8 hours per day is possible at the employee's written request or by introducing a relevant working time system. If an employee requests the working time extension, it should be negotiated on a per-employee basis and reflected in the employment contract. Extending the maximum working hours, even if permissible, must not violate other labour law provisions such as the right to daily and weekly rest, which we describe below.
Overtime compensation
Overtimecannot exceed 150 hoursin a calendar year. However, a collective bargaining agreement, employer work regulations or the employment contract may stipulate differently, but no more than 48 hours a week on average as is the current EU legislation.
An employee is entitled to the following additional supplements:
- 100% pay for work during the night, Sundays and bank holidays, as long as they are not a regular worktime for the employee or days off in lieu of Sundays or bank holidays worked
- 50% of their salary for working overtime on any day other than those mentioned above
- 100% of their salary for every overtime hour worked above the average weekly norm in the reference period, unless any of the above two apply
The employer may also grant the employee time off in exchange for overtime work instead of pay. If done without the employee's request, each overtime hour equals 1,5 hours paid time off. If, however, the employee requested it, each hour of overtime equals one hour of paid time off.
Break rights
Employees working more than 6 hours get a 15-minute paid break that counts as part of their work time. An employer can introduce a further break that is not counted towards the working time, which can be used for lunch or to handle personal matters. It cannot be longer than 60 minutes.
Employees are granted a minimum of 11 hours undisturbed rest every 24 hours (minimum uninterrupted daily rest) and at least 35 rest hours each week (minimum uninterrupted weekly rest).
Sunday work
Sundays and public holidays are workfree days. There are a few exceptions that permit work on Sundays or public holidays:
- Shift work
- Work that impacts society and the daily needs of individuals
- For electronic communication or telecommunication services outside Poland, if the receiver of the service works on those days
Employees working on Sundays or public holidays are entitled to another day off in lieu or additional remuneration. The employee is also entitled to days off as per the average of five days working week rule. In this case, their normal day off will be Saturday.
Night workers
Work done between 21:00 - 07:00 is considered night work. A night worker is someone who works at least three hours in that timeframe in any 24 hours.
Any employee working nights is entitled to 20% of the minimum hourly wage supplement to their salary for every hour worked.
Employee Time Tracking Obligations in Poland
Employers are required to keep working time records for all employees individually. It may be conducted on paper or electronically. Employers must keep track of days of work, excused absences from work (e.g. illness), days off (e.g. vacation) and daily working hours.
Employers are not required to record the daily working hours in the following cases:
- Employees covered by a task-based working time system
- Employees who manage the workplace on the employer's behalf
- Employees paid on a lump-sum basis for overtime or night work
Penalties
Incorrect or incomplete working time record-keeping can be penalised by a fine ranging between 1,000zł and 30,000zł.
FAQs
General rules. According to the Polish law, a standard working week is 40 hours within 5 working days, which amounts to 8 hours on average per day and is considered a full-time employment in most workplaces.
How many hours is a full-time job in Poland? ›
General rules. According to the Polish law, a standard working week is 40 hours within 5 working days, which amounts to 8 hours on average per day and is considered a full-time employment in most workplaces.
Do jobs in Poland pay well? ›
The Polish minimum monthly wage is currently 3010 gross, 2209 zł net. The hourly rate (if you work, for example, on a contract of mandate) is around 20 (just under 14 zł net). Not much, but the average monthly wage in Poland at the beginning of 2022 was about 6100 PLN gross, just under 4400 PLN net, quite a jump.
How many days off work in Poland? ›
The duration of the leave is as follows: 20 days per calendar year for workers with a length of service of less than 10 years. 26 days per calendar year for workers with a length of service of at least 10 years.
What are the working rights in Poland? ›
According to the Polish Labor Code, standard working time for a full-time employee shall not exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week in an average five – day working week. If the employee works overtime, the weekly working hours shall not exceed 48 hours a week.
What are the daily working hours in Poland? ›
Standard hours
Working hours are usually from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, often with up to one hour of an unpaid break for lunch. On average, employees are expected to work 40 hours per week (8 hours a day - 5 days a week).
What is the basic working time system in Poland? ›
Working time systems. Employers may apply: a basic working time system, under which daily working time is 8 hours and an average of 40 hours in an average 5-day working week in the reference period adopted, not exceeding four months.
How much is rent in Poland? ›
Against the backdrop of rising interest rates in 2021-2022, those who could not afford to buy an apartment became interested in how to rent housing in Poland. As a result, rental prices increased significantly. In January 2022, the average cost of renting an apartment in the ten largest cities was 2,244 zlotys.
What is a good salary in Poland? ›
The per capita income in Poland ranges between an average minimum salary of 1,910 PLN and an average maximum of 33,800 PLN. The median base salary in Poland is 6,510 PLN or USD 1,568 per month or (according to the latest exchange rates). The median salary is a middle value in a range of salaries.
What is the living cost in Poland? ›
Living costs in Poland are generally lower compared to many other European countries. You can expect your monthly living expenses in Poland to range between ₹33,000 and ₹64,000, depending on your lifestyle choices.
If work is performed on Sundays on a regular basis, an employee should have at least one Sunday off in every four weeks. Work on Sundays can be performed without any restrictions if an employee is employed under a system in which the work is performed only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Does Poland have 4 day work week? ›
The 4-day workweek is becoming an increasingly hot topic. Although in Poland it still appears to be a thing of the future, recent years have shown how quickly labour market trends are changing.
Are sick days paid in Poland? ›
All workers are covered by compulsory sickness insurance. Other persons may also apply for voluntary insurance (e.g. self-employed or person working based on civil-low contracts). Sick pay or sickness allowance is granted to insured persons for each day of illness during which they are unfit for work.
What is the most common work in Poland? ›
The country's main industries include machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, agriculture, food processing, glass, and textiles. However, the majority of the work force is employed in the services sector.
What is the work ethic in Poland? ›
Respect for authority and seniority is deeply ingrained in Polish work culture. Titles and positions are respected, and addressing superiors with appropriate titles is a sign of respect.
Can US citizens work in Poland? ›
If you have a job lined up for you in Poland, chances are you will need a Poland work visa. The Poland work visa is a Polish national (long-term) visa that allows non-EU citizens to work in Poland.
Is it easy to get a part-time job in Poland? ›
2021 Part-Time Internship in Poland
Poland, as we have discussed in previous discussions, is a welcoming country for international students. The concept of the fact that Poland is not only the best in terms of offering part-time jobs. However, it also provides students with internship opportunities.
Is a full-time job 40 hours a week? ›
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, a full-time employee works 40 hours per week. However, you won't want to confuse the 40-hour work week with the Affordable Care Act regulations, which identify full-time workers as those who work 30 hours per week.
How many hours is full-time in Europe? ›
In 2022, the usual working week for people aged 20-64 in the EU averaged 37.5 hours. Significant differences among EU countries are visible. The longest working weeks were recorded in Greece (41.0 hours), Poland (40.4), Romania and Bulgaria (40.2 both).
What is the shift allowance in Poland? ›
According to the Polish employment code (Polish: Kodeks pracy), night time covers eight hours from 09:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m. The night shift allowance amounts to 20 percent of the hourly rate based on the minimum wage for the calendar year in question. Every year, the monthly night shift bonus is adjusted.
