The Polish labour marketplace is on the verge of a historical change, which will revolutionize relations between employers and workers from January 2026. The government, through the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, introduces a package of rules to seal the system, increase transparency and put an end to unfair practices. This is simply a real breakthrough that will hit late employers, but at the same time will supply financial stableness and greater control of our own professional career. Key changes include the timely payment, the work to disclose wages in occupation offers and a revolutionary approach to the counting of traineeships, which will even include civilian law contracts and economical activity. Companies have little and little time to adapt to fresh regulations, and the consequences of deficiency of preparation can be severe – even tens of thousands of zlotys will be fined.
No more delays: Pension always on time
One of the most anticipated and at the same time severe changes is the introduction of an absolute work to pay remuneration at the latest by 10th day of the month. The practice so far, in which many companies have postponed payment deadlines up to the 15th day, has frequently destabilized the staff's home budgets, making it hard for them to settle their accounts on time or to plan their expenses. From January 2026, specified delays will have serious financial consequences for employers. The government firmly stresses that it is about equalising rights and providing workers with a basic warrant – timely access to earned money. This is simply a fundamental change that is expected to hit the grey region and force entrepreneurs to have greater financial discipline.
The fresh government importantly increases fines for violations of the Labour Code. Employers who will pay salaries below the statutory minimum level, late with transfers or, which is common practice, employment civilian law contracts erstwhile a contract of employment is required must number for very advanced sanctions. In utmost cases, penalties may scope up to tens of thousands of zlotys, which is simply a real threat to the financial stableness of companies that have so far ignored the law. The State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) and the taxation offices will receive extended control tools to guarantee more effective enforcement of the fresh regulations and limit the area to abuse.
Transparency from recruitment: Know your salary
Another key component of the improvement is expanding transparency in the recruitment process, especially in the context of wages. From 2026 employers will have obligation to disclose the proposed remuneration range Already in the occupation announcement. This is the end of the “seekers” given at the final phase of recruitment or, worse, only erstwhile signing the contract. If recruitment takes place internally or the offer is not published, the employer will gotta forward the payment data to the candidate at the latest before the interview. This amendment aims not only to save time for both parties, but above all to increase assurance and guarantee that candidates are acquainted with financial conditions from the beginning, allowing them to make an informed decision. Labour marketplace experts indicate that this will give workers a stronger negotiating position, and companies will gotta offer more competitive rates to attract the best specialists.
Job placement on fresh rules: Millions gain
The real revolution will besides affect the way the traineeship is calculated, which has a direct impact on the amount of many benefits and allowances. As of January 2026, not only periods of employment on the basis of the employment contract will be included in the traineeship, but besides years worked on civilian law contracts (e.g. contracts-contracts), periods of self-employment and even employment abroad. This is simply a immense change, which is to cover nearly 2 million Poles, who, despite many years of experience, have been deprived of access to higher benefits dependent on the internship. Those who have worked on flexible forms of employment or have built their career abroad will yet gain full designation of their work. This means a real increase in traineeship, jubilee or another benefits, which have so far been reserved exclusively for staff.
What does that mean for employers? fresh challenges and controls
For entrepreneurs, the fresh rules mean that interior procedures request to be rapidly adapted and more careful in documenting employment. This is not only an update of the rules, but above all a change of approach to human resources management. The increased control powers of the State Labour Inspectorate and taxation offices are intended to effectively reduce the grey region and guarantee equal competition between companies, eliminating those that have built their advantage on unfair practices. From a business perspective, the improvement involves greater administrative costs and financial risks in case of non-compliance. However, for workers, these regulations are a real warrant of timely payments, clear employment rules and better securing future benefits. The government has set standards that have been in force in many Western European countries for years, seeking to build a more equitable and transparent labour market.
The changes come into force as early as January 2026, meaning that companies have little and little time to prepare for the fresh reality. This is the largest improvement of labour law in years, which straight hits unfair practices, while strengthening the position of workers. Regardless of perspective, 1 thing is certain: the Polish labour marketplace will never be the same again. Time to adapt and adopt fresh standards is crucial for all entrepreneur and worker in Poland.
Continued here:
No more delays. Penance to 10th day, giant penalties for bosses from 2026
