2024 was once again a year of significant changes in Polish labour law. Below is a summary of the most important issues and upcoming changes.
Changes in OHS regulations
As of May 17, 2024, job positions created by November 17, 2023 had to be adapted to the new regulations on occupational health and safety in positions equipped with screen monitors. You can find more information about the new OHS rules here.
Protection of whistleblowers
As of September 25, 2024, the Polish Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers, the first regulation defining the status of whistleblowers and the protection to which they are entitled, came into force.
As of January 1, 2025, all entities employing at least 50 persons (not only employees) will be required to implement an internal whistleblowing procedure. The introduction of the procedure should be preceded by consultations with trade unions or with staff representatives.
The new law also establishes a new category of criminal offences. Obstructing a report, retaliation, revealing the identity of a whistleblower, filing a report in bad faith, or failing to implement an internal reporting procedure have been criminalized. Possible penalties include fines, but also restriction or even imprisonment, in some cases up to 3 years.
You can find more information about the Polish act on the protection of whistleblowers here.
Standards for the protection of minors
From August 15, 2024 , a new obligation of “employers and other organizers in activities related to the upbringing, education, recreation, treatment, provision of psychological counselling, spiritual development, sports or the pursuit of other interests by minors, or the care of minors, and of employees and other persons admitted to such activities” was implemented, including setting of standards for the protection of minors.
The new obligation applies not only to kindergartens, schools, sports centers, hospitals etc. but, among others, also to workplaces where minors learn a profession.
The content of standards for the protection of minors is broad and should specify, for example:
the procedures and individuals responsible for reporting suspected offenses against a minor as well as notifying the custody court;
the scope of responsibilities of the person in charge of preparing the employer’s personnel to apply the standards, the principles for preparing such personnel, and the method of documenting this process;
the individuals responsible for receiving reports on incidents posing a threat to minors and providing support to them.
In addition, from February 15, 2024 all persons hired to work with minors after that date must submit an appropriate certificate of no criminal record.
Foreigners or individuals who had resided permanently outside Poland, must submit information from the criminal record of their state of nationality.
Furthermore, persons working with minors must submit a declaration of the country or countries in which they have resided during the last 20 years along with information from the criminal records of these countries. If it is not possible to obtain the appropriate certificates, the employee must submit a declaration.
Increase of the minimum wage
From January 1, 2025 the minimum wage in Poland will equal to PLN 4,666 gross (approx. EUR 1.100) for full time and PLN 30,50 (approx. EUR 7,15) for hourly rate.
Other upcoming changes for 2025
The Polish parliament has passed a law declaring December 24 (Christmas Eve) a public holiday. At the same time number of working Sundays in December has been increased. The new Act is now awaiting the President of Poland signature.
Efforts are also underway to amend the definition of workplace bullying.
Additionally, Poland is preparing to implement the Pay Transparency Directive.
Therefore, the year 2025 promises to be just as eventful in terms of regulatory changes as recent years.
The article was prepared by att. Monika Aniszewska and att. trainee Maciej Bogorodzki from our Polish member firm Zawirska Ruszczyk. For any questions related to the Polish Labour Code or employment related topics, please reach out to them or to our representatives Patrycja Zawirska or Grzegorz Ruszczyk.
