Labour law and HR A new trend in employment? A pilot program is being launched that could change the labor market in Poland.
Pilot participants will choose the working time reduction model that best suits their organization.
The first three months of the program will be devoted to preparation, and the following months to testing the selected solutions in practice.
Who can participate in the pilot program?
Participation in the program will be voluntary and open to all employers, regardless of the size of the company or industry, including employers from the public sector. The condition for participation is that there will be no salary reductions—employees will work shorter hours but receive the same salary.
Funding and support for employers
The Labor Fund has allocated PLN 10 million for the implementation of the pilot program in its first year. Each employer who qualifies for the program will be eligible for funding to implement reduced working hours. Details will be announced soon.
Implementation schedule
By June 30, 2025, the Polish Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy will announce the rules and conditions under which the pilot program will operate. Recruitment for the program may start after the summer, and the tests themselves are planned for 2026.
Challenges and legal aspects
The introduction of reduced working hours will certainly require adjustments to internal work regulations and employee contracts. Employers will have to ensure that the new solutions comply with the provisions of the Labor Code and other laws or regulations. It may also be necessary to consult with employee representatives or trade unions.
Benefits for employees and employers
Reducing working hours can contribute to a better work-life balance for employees, increasing their job satisfaction and reducing stress levels. For employers, this can mean increased productivity, a lower risk of burnout among employees, and an improved image as a modern and responsible employer.
Shorter working hours in practice – real-life examples
Although the government pilot program is still in its testing phase and a nationwide launch is still ahead of us, some local government units and enterprises can already boast about implementing shorter working hours – with positive results.
Włocławek began its adventure with a shorter working week at the City Hall. According to the website https://www.gov.pl/web/rodzina/idzie-nowe-ruszamy-z-pilotazem-skroconego-czasu-pracy, several thousand people currently benefit from a 35-hour working week there.
This is an example that change is possible not only in the private sector, but also in public administration.
Another example is Herbapol Poznań S.A., which shows that reducing working hours can go hand in hand with business success. The company began gradual changes in the organization of work as early as 2023. The result, as we read in the above article, is lower employee turnover, less absenteeism, and the company's best financial results in over a decade. Shortened working hours have thus proved to be not only a pro-social measure, but also a strategic business move.
Summary
The pilot program for reduced working hours is a step towards modern and flexible forms of work organization. For employers, it is an opportunity to test new solutions that can benefit both the company and its employees. However, it is worth remembering that not every sector and not every company will be able to take advantage of this solution in the same way. Reducing working hours requires a well-thought-out approach, thorough organizational analysis, and consideration of the operational realities of the company.
It is worth preparing now for the upcoming changes and consulting with labor law experts to adapt to the new challenges.
