Easily manage employment in Poland

Employees in Poland are entitled to 20 days of paid time off per year for the first 10 years they are in the workforce. After 10 years, the amount increases to 26 days. Poland counts education toward total employment time. In addition to this leave, all employees in Poland are entitled to 13 paid holidays.

Poland provides up to 52 weeks of maternity leave for new mothers, split into three parts. The first part of maternity leave in Poland lasts up to 20 weeks and begins six weeks before the mother’s due date. New mothers cannot return to work until at least 14 weeks have passed since childbirth. After the first 20 weeks, the employee may request an additional six weeks of leave, which the employer is required to provide. Beyond the first 26 weeks, the employee may request an additional 26 weeks as parental leave, which can be taken by either parent.In the case of the death of a new child, mothers are entitled to at least eight weeks of leave, or at least seven days of leave if the child was over eight weeks old at the time of death.Mothers may choose to receive either 80% or 100% of their average pay from the last year, with no limit, for the first 20 weeks. Mothers who take 80% continue to receive 80% pay on parental leave after maternity leave ends. Mothers who take 100% pay receive 100% of their average pay for the first six weeks of parental leave, then 60% for any remaining parental leave. Pay for this leave comes from social programs, not employers.Mothers who give birth to multiple children at once (twins, triplets, etc.) receive additional leave depending on the number of children born from the same pregnancy.

In Poland, fathers can take two weeks of paid leave with 100% compensation. There is no limit on payments for paternity leave.Polish law does not recognise LGBTQ+ relationships and does not allow same-sex couples to adopt.

In addition to basic maternity and paternity leave, parents may share up to 32 weeks of parental leave. Parents must make a written request to use this additional leave within three weeks of the child’s (or children’s) birth. Parental leave pay depends on the pay taken for maternity leave, as described in the previous section.

Employees under 50 years of age receive compensation for up to 33 days per calendar year. This amount is paid for by the employer. If sick leave has to extend beyond 33 days, the compensation for the additional days is paid by the Social Security Office (ZUS).Employees 50 years of age or older receive compensation for up to 14 days per calendar year. Again, in case the employee has to extend this leave beyond the stipulated 14 days, compensation is paid by ZUS.Sick leave is paid at 80% of the allowance basis or 100% of the allowance basis if the illness occurs during pregnancy or was caused by an accident at work or during the commute from/to work. In the case of sickness or injury picked up at work, the compensation is provided by ZUS.

- Childcare leave: Employees may take two days or 16 working hours to care for a child who is 14 years old or younger.- Wedding leave: Employees are entitled to two days of leave for their own wedding, or one day of leave to attend the wedding of a child.- Grandchild leave: Employees are entitled to two days of leave for the birth of a grandchild.- Bereavement leave: Employees are entitled to two days of leave after the death of a spouse, a child, or a parent. Employees are entitled to one day of leave for the death of a sister, brother, or in-law.