started · updated
Poland labor market faces rising absenteeism and caregiving burdens
Recent data highlights significant shifts in the Polish labor market, characterized by rising sick leave and increasing caregiving responsibilities. In 2025, Polish workers spent 34.1 million days on sick leave due to mental health issues, a 43% increase compared to three years prior. Total sick leave absences reached 290.5 million days, costing approximately 34.88 billion PLN.
Simultaneously, caregiving has become a major factor in daily life. In 2025, 35.9% of adults aged 18–74 provided care for children, grandchildren, or elderly relatives, effectively acting as a second, informal job. This burden falls disproportionately on women, with 38.5% reporting caregiving duties compared to 33.1% of men. Nearly half of all working Poles (42.4%) balance professional duties with caregiving responsibilities.
Work-life balance remains a challenge, as 44% of workers regularly perform professional tasks after hours. While 80% of companies claim to respect the right to disconnect, many employees report a lack of time for loved ones and consider changing jobs due to the difficulty of reconciling work and private life.
Entities
Emotivo · Główny Urząd Statystyczny · Poland · Prezentmarzeń · Social Insurance Institution · Statistics Poland · Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] 42.4% of working Poles simultaneously perform caregiving duties. ikamien.pl · www.iswinoujscie.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025, Poles spent 34.1 million days on sick leave due to mental health issues. www.lubin.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 31% of employees consider changing jobs due to difficulties balancing work and private life. infowire.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Caregiving duties were performed by 35.9% of people aged 18–74 in 2025. ikamien.pl · www.iswinoujscie.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Musculoskeletal diseases caused 42.4 million days of absence in 2025. www.pulshr.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sick leave expenses in 2025 totaled 34.88 billion PLN. www.pulshr.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Total sick leave absences in 2025 reached 290.5 million days. www.pulshr.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] 44% of Polish workers regularly perform professional duties after hours. biznes.wprost.pl · infowire.pl