Shortening working time in Poland. Employees do not hide fear
This week, recruitment for companies interested in participating in the pilot of short working time in Poland has ended. Most employees are afraid that if the solution enters into force, there will be a reduction in salaries.
At the beginning of this week, recruitment for companies interested in participating in the piloting of short working time while maintaining remuneration has ended. During the Tuesday press conference of the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy, she announced that 1994 applications were submitted.
– Very different types of institutions and enterprises appeared among the applications: smaller companies, large organizations, public institutions and of course private institutions. This diversity will allow us to test the shortening of working time while maintaining remuneration in various contexts, in various conditions, in various models of work organization – said the head of the labor department.
The pilot provides for testing various models of short working time. The two main are shortening the working week or working hours on individual days. However, other models adapted to the specifics of the given employer are also allowed (e.g. granting additional leave).
Shortening working time. Poles are afraid of remuneration
The Research Partner’s survey conducted just before the start of the pilot showing that out of the two main models Poles would definitely prefer the introduction of a 4-day work week (57 percent of indications). The data that Business Insider Polska cites that the shortening of working time from 8 to 7.5 hours a day mentioned only 17 percent. respondents, and 26 percent He answered “hard to say.”
Although the creators of the pilot clearly indicate that shortening the working time would occur with the current salary, as much as 70 percent. The participants of the survey do not hide that he is afraid that after shortening the working time, employers will strive to reduce earnings. There are only 9 percent such fears. respondents. Every fifth (21 %) has no opinion on this matter.
The study was conducted by the Research Partner on the ARADNA research panel on 1.08-4.08.2025, on a nationwide sample of 1040 people aged 18+, selected according to the representation in the population of Poles for sex, age and the size of the town of residence.
