The government is moving on with the revolution. Shorter work for the same money and a million for the company!

The revolution on the Polish labour marketplace becomes a fact. Now. August 14, 2025 calls for proposals for an unprecedented pilot programme that can change the way we work forever. The government opens the door to investigating shorter working time, offering companies immense subsidies up to a million zlotys. This is the first specified extended experimentation in this part of Europe, which gives Polish employees a real chance for a four-day working week or a shorter working day – and this without any simplification in remuneration. The time for submitting applications is limited, recruitment will only last until 15 September. It is simply a historical minute that can make Poland halt being in the EU tail in terms of working time, and a rested and more efficient worker will become a fresh standard. We're looking into who can benefit and under what rules.

Not even a million dollars for the company. Government reveals the principles of co-financing

The state reached deep into its pocket to encourage entrepreneurs to participate in this groundbreaking experiment. According to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, any company active in the pilotage can receive maximum PLN million of funding. The conversion origin is crucial – up to PLN 20 000 per worker covered by the programme can be supported. This means that even smaller companies have a chance of a solid injection of cash.

In practice, this translates into circumstantial amounts. A medium-sized company that decides to include 50 employees can number on a full million PLN support. A company employing 25 people can receive up to PLN 500 thousand, and even a tiny company with 10 employees in the program can apply for PLN 200 thousand. These measures, from the Labour Fund, are intended to compensate for possible organisational costs and encourage bold changes. "This will be the first piloting of the shortened working time in this part of Europe, the first in our region, the first so wide-scale pilotage in Poland", stressed Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, as quoted by Rp.pl.

What does that mean for an employee? 4-day week work without cutting salary

For millions of Poles, the most crucial information is: the employer's participation in the program means a real chance for more free time while keeping his salary. The government made it clear – wage simplification is strictly prohibited. "There is no way and there will be no agreement to any effort to reduce salaries for piloted workers or to let any deterioration of working conditions," said Minister Dziemianowicz-Bąk, as confirmed by authoritative service Gov.pl.

What changes can await employees? The program is flexible and allows you to test different models. The most popular scenarios include:

• Four-day working week: Work from Monday to Thursday and a three-day weekend.
• Short working day: For example, work for 6 hours a day alternatively of 8.
• Additional vacation days: an increase in the yearly free day pool.

The employer, in agreement with the crew, will be able to choose the solution best suited to the specifics of the manufacture and work organisation. For an employee, this means 1 thing – more time for household life, passion or rest, without worrying about the account balance at the end of the month.

It already works in Poland. The success of Herbapol and office in Włocławek

Short working time is not a utopia, but a proven solution that benefits both employees and companies. A perfect example is Herbapol Poznań, which already in 2023 began making changes. As president Tomasz Kaczmarek admitted in his interview with Rp.pl, he initially met with skepticism, but he followed the principle: “a individual on this change can only gain and the company cannot lose”.

The effects exceeded expectations. The company noted a importantly lower turnover of workers and a decrease in sick absence. Most importantly, financial results for 2024 were the best in respective yearsAnd the shortening of working time, according to the president, was 1 of the bricks of this success. A akin experimentation was successfully carried out in the public sector. president Włocławka, Krzysztof Kukucki, introduced a 35-hour week of work first at the city office and then expanded it to subordinate units and municipal companies. Today, respective 1000 people are already utilizing shorter jobs.

What conditions must be fulfilled? Government makes tough demands

To guarantee the reliability of the experiment, the government has set restrictive conditions for participation in the piloting. The company must undertake to reduce working time on average by 10% in the first half and by at least 20% in the second half the duration of the programme. At the same time, it is crucial to keep employment at a minimum of 90% of the first state, in order to prevent dismissal of workers.

The programme must be covered by a circumstantial group of employees, which will include both serial workers and managers. Applications may be submitted by employers who have been active for at least 12 months and employment a minimum of 75% of the crew for employment contracts. Importantly, pilotage must cover at least half of all staff. The call for proposals, conducted only electronically, will take time 14 August to 15 September 2025and the list of qualified companies will be announced by October 15. Participation in the programme involves regular surveys and close monitoring by the ministry.

No more work after 40 hours? This could be the future of the Polish market

Piloting is more than just an experimentation – a consequence to profound social and economical changes. According to PIT.pl portal, Poles are 1 of the longest working nations in the European Union. Our actual weekly working time is 33.3 hours, while the EU average is only 36.1 hours. Shortening working time is simply a strategical consequence to the demographic crisis, the progressive automation and improvement of artificial intelligence.

Minister Dziemianowicz-Bąk argues that rested workers are healthier, more productive and loyal. They have more time for the family, which may have a affirmative effect on demographics, and are little likely to benefit from sick leave. On the basis of piloting results to be analysed by May 2027, a peculiar squad in the ministry will prepare concrete legislative proposals. If the experimentation succeeds, in a fewer years 40-hour work week in Poland may go back to past and we will join the European top in the field of work-life balance.