Revolutionary changes in the Labour Code: what has been waiting for employees since 2026?

In 2026, the Polish labour marketplace awaits crucial changes. The government plans to amend the Labour Code, which aims to improve the situation of workers, especially those employed on civilian law contracts, alleged "trash". The reforms will include, among another things, the inclusion of different forms of employment into traineeships, which will translate into higher severances, longer leave and another benefits. What changes will the fresh regulations make, and who will benefit from them?

The current rules supply that persons employed for a contract of employment are entitled to 20 days of leave per year if their traineeship is little than 10 years, and 26 days of leave per year if their traineeship exceeds 10 years. The amendment of the Labour Code will introduce the anticipation to include periods of employment on civilian contracts and to conduct their own business. Under the fresh regulations, periods of non-agricultural business activity and cooperation with persons engaged in specified activities, working time on contract, agency contracts and service contracts, membership of agricultural production cooperatives and cooperatives of agricultural machinery rings, as well as periods of work under activation contracts, for example for babysitters.

The reforms will benefit most people working on civilian law contracts so far, who did not give them the right to vacation leave, Jubilee awards or higher severance. erstwhile the fresh government enters into force, workers will be able to apply for higher severance payments erstwhile disbanding their employment, and longer traineeships will translate into higher traineeship allowances in the public and private sectors. Those who have previously pursued an economical activity will be able to take this period into account in their traineeship.

Amending the Labour Code means additional obligations for employers. 1 of the key challenges will be the request to recalculate the work placement for each employee. Employers will be required to take into account papers confirming contract employment and business certificates. This process will not be automatic – employees will gotta supply appropriate papers to confirm their erstwhile professional activity. Certificates will be issued by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), which may increase the number of applications addressed to this institution.

For employees, the revision of the rules is an chance for more unchangeable employment and better working conditions. Longer leave and higher severance can importantly affect their quality of life and their position on the labour market. Employers, in turn, can face the challenge of additional administrative and organisational costs. The improvement may besides increase the number of people employed on employment contracts, which is 1 of the objectives of the government. Currently, around 1.5 million people work on civilian law contracts in Poland, a crucial percent of the labour market.

The fresh regulations are a step towards improving working conditions in Poland. The inclusion of different forms of employment into traineeships is consistent with trends observed in another countries of the European Union, where expanding emphasis is placed on the protection of workers' rights. The rules are to come into force at the beginning of 2026, which means that both employers and employees have time to prepare for the upcoming changes.