This is how many Polish companies use the so-called holiday embargo. Surprising data

For years, checking work e-mail from a deckchair was treated as proof of commitment and responsibility. Nowadays, employers are increasingly moving away from this approach. According to the World of Work Trends 2026 Top Employers Institute report, as many as 82 percent organizations discourage checking employee mailboxes outside working hours. This is 22 percentage points higher than the global average.

Practices limiting overtime are implemented by 75 percent. organization, which means an increase of 8 percentage points year on year. A similar advantage can be seen in the area of ​​everyday work organization. 66 percent Top Employers in Poland allows employees to decide on their own hours and place of work, 14 percentage points more than their global counterparts. The percentage of organizations with a remote work policy is 12 percentage points higher than the global average and covers almost all surveyed companies, and 90 percent respondents allow them to adjust their schedule to childcare responsibilities.

We’re having a hard time with the “holiday embargo”

However, there is one area where Polish organizations still have room for improvement. It’s about the so-called principle. “holiday embargo”. It involves not contacting employees during their leave and allowing them time to fully rest. The report shows that only 45% have implemented and use them. Polish companies. This level is close to the global and European average.

– Sama company policy is not enough if the everyday behavior of leaders sends the opposite signal. An employee will not believe that he or she can rest if, while on vacation, he or she still receives messages from his or her superior or feels pressure to be available. Therefore, protecting employees’ time and energy must be an element of management, not just a provision in a document – comments Katarzyna Konieczna-Michałek, Senior HR Auditor at Top Employers Institute.