Poland, celebrated for its rich history and cultural diversity, showcases stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. In this dynamic setting, Poland prioritizes employee welfare through its extensive leave policies. Grasping these policies is crucial for both businesses and employees. Explore Poland's leave regulations to ensure seamless management and a supportive workplace. Employers aiming to hire employees from Poland or through an Employer of Record (EOR) in Poland must be knowledgeable about these regulations for effective compliance and workforce management.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

In Poland, the duration of paid annual leave hinges on an employee's tenure. Those with less than 10 years of service are granted 20 days of annual leave, while those surpassing the decade mark receive 26 days. Notably, seniority isn't solely gauged by years on the job but also considers educational attainment.

Unused annual leave days can be carried over to the subsequent year, provided they're utilized by September 30th. Additionally, parents with children under 14 enjoy two extra days off, at 80% pay. However, these bonus days must be exclusively available to one parent within the same year.

Certain professions, like teaching or academia, may qualify for extended paid leave, potentially reaching 36 days annually. This provision underscores the nuanced approach to leave entitlements, catering to diverse occupational needs.

Public Holidays

• Jan 1, 2024: New Year's Day
• Jan 6, 2024: Epiphany
• Apr 1, 2024: Easter Monday
• May 1, 2024: Labour Day
• May 3, 2024: Constitution Day
• May 30, 2024: Corpus Christi
• Aug 15, 2024: Assumption Day
• Nov 1, 2024: All Saints’ Day
• Nov 11, 2024: Independence Day
• Dec 25, 2024: Christmas Day
• Dec 26, 2024: 2nd Day of Christmas

Sick Days

• All employees in Poland receive paid sick leave, determined by years of service and age as outlined in their employment agreement.
• Employees below 50 years old receive up to 33 days of paid sick leave covered by the employer. If the illness persists beyond day 33, Social Security (ZUS) takes over payments.
• Employees aged 50 and above are entitled to up to 14 days of paid sick leave from the employer. After day 14, Social Security (ZUS) assumes payment responsibility.
• Sick leave compensation equals 80.00% of the average salary over the past 12 months. However, if the illness arises during pregnancy or results from a work-related accident, it's paid at 100.00%. Social Security (ZUS) covers sick leave due to work-related accidents or when caring for a sick child/relative.
• Example: A 45-year-old employee falls ill and requires a month off. Their employer covers the first 33 days of sick leave, after which Social Security (ZUS) takes over payments until recovery.

Maternity Leave

Female employees in Poland are entitled to maternity leave durations based on the number of children born or adopted:

• 20 weeks for one child born or adopted
• 31 weeks for two children, 33 weeks for three children, and 35 weeks for four children
• 37 weeks for five or more children
• The Social Security Institute provides full maternity pay equivalent to 100% of the employee’s regular salary.
• Maternity leave must commence at least six weeks before the due date but can begin later or after birth and continue consecutively.
• A minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave following childbirth is mandatory before the employee returns to work. Any remaining leave beyond 14 weeks can be transferred to the child's father.
• Both adoptive parents can utilize adoption leave, but not simultaneously under labor regulations.
• Example: A female employee expecting her first child is entitled to 20 weeks of maternity leave, which begins six weeks before her due date. The Social Security Institute covers her full salary during this period. She opts to take the full 20 weeks off before returning to work.

Paternity Leave

• Fathers in Poland are granted a two-week period of paid paternity leave within the initial 24 months following the birth of the child or from the adoption date until the child turns seven.
• The leave can be taken in up to two separate one-week segments, with Social Security covering the payment at the employee’s full regular salary rate.

Parental Leave

• In Poland, parental leave lasts either 41 or 43 weeks, depending on the number of children. Both parents, including adoptive ones, can take it after maternity leave.
• Each parent has 9 weeks of exclusive leave. If one parent takes the full duration, they get 32 weeks, leaving 9 weeks for the other. But, these extra weeks can't be transferred to the other parent.
• Parents can take leave together, but the total can't exceed the standard. It can be split into 5 segments, used by the child's sixth birthday.
• To start, employees must apply 21 days in advance. For the first weeks, it's 100% paid, then 60%, or 80% if requested within 21 days after birth, all covered by Social Security.

Disability Leave

Individuals classified with severe or moderate disabilities are eligible for an extra ten days of annual leave. This entitlement is acquired after one year of employment and upon receiving the disability classification.

Military Leave

Employees in Poland have the right to take unpaid leave to fulfil their military obligations.

Childcare Leave

Employees in Poland raising children up to 14 years old are entitled to two fully paid days off per year, provided by the employer. Additionally, those with at least six months of employment can take up to three years of unpaid childcare leave until the child turns five (or 18 if the child is disabled).

Special Event Leave

Employees in Poland can take two paid days off for significant family events like weddings, childbirth, or funerals of close relatives.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in Poland  with Gloroots

At Gloroots, we understand the challenges of managing leave policies, especially when expanding your business globally. Our platform ensures compliance with Poland's labor laws, maintains accurate leave records, handles leave requests smoothly and generates comprehensive reports. Partnering with Gloroots allows you to concentrate on growing your business while we take care of the complexities of managing employee leave. Reach out to us to learn how Gloroots can simplify your HR operations and enhance efficiency in Poland.