Poland labor law: Employee rights and new employer obligations

Recent updates and clarifications regarding the Polish Labor Code highlight several key rights and obligations for employees and employers.

Parents raising children up to age 14 are entitled to two days or 16 hours of paid leave per calendar year. This leave must be used by December 31, as it does not carry over to the next year. The choice between full days or hourly increments must be made in the first application of the year.

Regarding annual leave, employers are required to grant any outstanding vacation by September 30 of the following year. While Supreme Court rulings suggest employers may have the authority to assign specific dates for this leave, the National Labor Inspectorate maintains a more cautious stance on unilateral decisions.

Furthermore, new anti-mobbing regulations are set to take effect on November 5, 2026. Companies with at least 10 employees will be required to establish formal internal procedures and rules to combat harassment. The new definition of mobbing focuses on persistent harassment, regardless of long-term duration.

Other legal considerations include the protocols for workplace accidents, which require employers to secure the scene and appoint an accident team, and the reputational risks associated with criminal proceedings involving company leadership or key staff.