Summary of the Webinar Series on Employment and HR Management in Poland

Diia.Business Warsaw the Entrepreneur Support Center in Warsaw, together with Altego Agency, organized a series of webinars that helped over 50 participants gain a better understanding of the legal, social, and cultural aspects of working and running a business in Poland.

💡 We spoke with one of the lecturers to share key insights from the sessions:

🔹 Social Insurance in Poland

How does the ZUS system work? What contributions do entrepreneurs and employees pay? What benefits are available by law?

• ZUS covers all working individuals – both entrepreneurs and employees – ensuring pension, medical, and accident insurance.

• Entrepreneurs pay mandatory contributions but can benefit from:

• “Ulga na start” – exemption from contributions (except medical) for 6 months.

• “Mały ZUS Plus” – reduced contributions for small businesses.

• Employers pay contributions for employees and must ensure timely payments.

• Managing payments via PUE ZUS helps track contributions and submit reports.

• Debt restructuring is available for entrepreneurs facing financial difficulties.

➡️ The webinar helped participants understand how social insurance works, how to optimize costs, and what rights they have if they face payment difficulties.

🔹 Employment Contracts: Types, Differences, and Legal Aspects

Understanding Umowa o pracę, Umowa zlecenie, and Umowa o dzieło:

• Umowa o pracę – offers the most social protection: paid leave (20–26 days), sick leave, ZUS contributions, and job stability.

• Umowa zlecenie – more flexible, often used for temporary work. Provides social insurance, but leave and sick pay are not guaranteed.

• Umowa o dzieło – a contract for specific work (project-based) without ZUS contributions, best suited for freelancers.

• Employment process: contracts must be signed before work starts, medical checks and safety training are mandatory.

• Termination & Appeals:

• Employees on Umowa o pracę are entitled to notice periods (2 weeks – 3 months) or severance pay.

• In case of unfair dismissal, an appeal can be filed with the Labor Court.

➡️ The webinar helped participants understand their rights and obligations based on contract type and how to protect their interests when signing or terminating employment.

🔹 Work Regulations: Rights, Duties & Wages

• Working hours – 40-hour workweek (8 hours/day), adjustments depending on work schedule.

• Breaks & Rest – employees are entitled to:

• 11 hours of uninterrupted daily rest.

• 35 hours of weekly rest.

• Wages – the minimum salary in 2025 is 4,666 PLN brutto; hourly rate 30.50 PLN brutto.

• Overtime pay:

• 150% for extra hours on regular days.

• 200% for work on weekends/holidays.

• Annual leave – 20 or 26 days, depending on years of service.

• Employer’s obligations – ensuring work safety, timely payments, compliance with labor laws.

• Employee rights – sick pay, social guarantees, protection from discrimination, right to strike.

➡️ The webinar provided practical insights into workers’ rights, salaries, and legal actions in case of labor law violations.

🔹 Disciplinary Dismissal: Causes, Procedures & Employee Rights

The webinar covered reasons for immediate dismissal and how employees can protect their rights.

• Reasons for dismissal – unjustified absence, theft, aggression, or safety violations.

• Procedure – employer must issue a written notice within one month of the incident.

• Consequences – loss of unemployment benefits, employment record issues, difficulty finding new work.

• Appeal process – employees can challenge the dismissal in Labor Court within 21 days for reinstatement or compensation.

🚀 This webinar series served as a practical guide for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to succeed in the Polish job market.

A big thank you to all participants for their engagement and feedback, and to the Altego Agency experts for their valuable advice and in-depth analysis of key topics!