Poland's Labour Inspectorate expands powers to verify employment status

Following legislative reforms effective July 8, 2026, the Polish National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) has gained expanded powers to verify the nature of employment relationships. The authority can now issue administrative decisions to convert civil law contracts into standard employment contracts if the actual working conditions mirror an employment relationship rather than a mandate or B2B arrangement.

Key indicators used by inspectors include the level of subordination, how work is organized, the method of settling results, and the ability of the contractor to appoint a substitute. The inspectorate has already begun issuing individual interpretations; for example, it recently ruled that using mandate contracts for warehouse work—where tasks like order picking and packing are controlled by the employer—is inappropriate despite the perceived flexibility of the contract.

These new powers, which include remote inspection capabilities and increased access to system data, have prompted many companies to proactively revise their cooperation models to avoid fines that can reach up to 60,000 PLN. The focus of enforcement has shifted from the written text of a contract to the practical, daily reality of how work is performed.