The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has launched a pilot program for a shorter workweek. Companies interested in participating will be able to apply for financial support from the government. Politicians from the New Left, who proposed this test, argue that ultimately everyone will benefit—from employees to employers—and that warnings about expected economic problems are greatly exaggerated.
“Poland’s economy, like the global economy, is already ready for solutions aimed at shortening the workweek while maintaining salaries. We all remember from history how 100 years ago the left and social democracy introduced the eight-hour workday. Back then, there were also alarms raised that it would harm the economy, entrepreneurs, and economic development. Today, no one denies the eight-hour workday. Moreover, several decades ago in Poland, we used to work on Saturdays. When that obligation was removed, voices rose that it might be bad for the economy. Yet, the economy developed well, and in countries where such solutions are introduced, everyone praises them,” said Krzysztof Śmiszek, Member of the European Parliament from the New Left, in an interview with Newseria. “Many fears propagated by the conservative-liberal side have never materialized. The apocalyptic forecasts that the economy would collapse or slow down never came true.”
The pilot proposed by the Ministry of Family and Labour is the first of its kind in this part of Europe. The Ministry wants to encourage companies to test reduced working hours in various configurations adapted to the specifics of each industry or organization. It was emphasized that this is not something that can be imposed on employers from above, hence the idea of a pilot. Entrepreneurs, local government units, foundations, associations, and trade unions may participate. These organizations will be able to apply for government financial support—the maximum amount per pilot project is PLN 1 million, and the cost per employee covered by the pilot cannot exceed PLN 20,000. Employers can use the funds for substantive costs (e.g., expert assessments of implementation of reduced working hours or employee expectation surveys), training, wage subsidies, or operational costs (such as information, promotion, coordination, evaluation, and settlement of the project). Funding comes from the Labor Fund reserve—the amount allocated for the pilot in 2025 is PLN 10 million, with a total budget of PLN 50 million for subsequent years.
“The Left proposes two alternative solutions: a four-day workweek or shortening the workday to seven or six hours. Remember, there are countries like France where the shorter workweek—35 hours instead of 40—is in force. The French economy praises it, and so do French employees and employers. Minister Dziemianowicz-Bąk from the Left proposes a very gradual but steady process to reach these solutions. First, a special fund was created—PLN 10 million for companies that decide to take part in the pilot. If the results prove positive, we will propose further shortening of the workweek at the legislative level,” Śmiszek announced.
Applications for the pilot will open on August 14 and run until September 15. The list of recommended projects will be announced a month later. Testing is planned to start January 1, 2026, and last for one year. Among the conditions employers must meet are: employing at least 75% of workers under employment contracts, appointments, elections, nominations, or cooperative employment contracts; maintaining employment at no less than 90% of the initial level stated in the application; and maintaining the wages of employees participating in the pilot at no less than the levels effective on the day the pilot begins.
The Ministry notes that the eight-hour workday was introduced in Poland 107 years ago, and Saturdays off more than 50 years ago. Since then, much has changed, especially as new technologies have greatly increased work efficiency.
“It seems that today, with such advanced technologies and work equipment, in many workplaces eight hours is simply too long a shift. We have other possibilities to fill our work time so that it is effective, not just a formal requirement to sit at work for eight hours. So we, the left and social democracy, are strong advocates of convincing our partners and other political parties to be bolder and propose a civilizational leap. We believe that shortening the workweek is exactly the next civilizational leap in economic relations,” the MEP said.
He stressed that this is necessary because technology will increasingly and rapidly change the labor market, existing professions, and how companies operate.
“There is nothing to fear here. 100–150 years ago, factories and machines were also destroyed to stop technological progress and preserve jobs. Technological development is inevitable, and either we adapt and use it skillfully, or we will fall behind. I have no fear of a labor market crash because, as history shows, some professions disappear but new ones emerge linked to technological development,” Śmiszek emphasized. “Of course, there are workplaces where reduced hours are impossible, where work must be continuous. However, examples from other economies show that they do not suffer losses, and in fact, we are more effective in six hours at work than in eight, because we have a better-organized workday and different motivation.”
Some private and public employers in Poland, such as government offices, have already introduced a four-day workweek or six- to seven-hour workdays. The pilot’s proponents say this is a global trend being adopted by more countries. The main motivators are improving employees’ work-life balance, creating opportunities for self-development, encouraging longer professional activity, and combating burnout risk. Employers stand to gain from increased employee efficiency, creativity, and greater competitiveness in the labor market.
“People worldwide increasingly value rest. After decades of a very hard work culture, today we see that working more efficiently allows us to combine it with longer rest, and no one loses out. Families gain, employees gain, and so do the economy and entrepreneurs. Everything should be carried out in social dialogue between workers and employers, with strong government involvement to civilize these new work relations forced by new technologies,” the MEP said.
According to a June report by Hays Poland, 90% of professionals want to work a four-day week, provided it does not affect their pay. Ten percent already have experience with it, and nearly 80% of that group evaluate it positively. Over half of specialists and managers believe the Polish economy is ready for such a labor market change, while 25% disagree.
