Polish labor law boosts severance pay and leave allowance
Poland has approved new labor law changes, effective from January 1, 2026, impacting time off entitlement, notice periods, and severance pay, as reported by L&E Global.
The new regulations expands the legal definition of employment tenure, meaning that more types of past work, including self-employment, civil contracts, and periods of study or unemployment (provided that social security contributions were made), will now count toward calculating benefits and pay.
What is employment tenure?
Employment tenure refers to the officially recognized length of an individual’s work history, used to calculate eligibility for workplace benefits such as notice periods, severance pay, and vacation entitlements.
What are the Implications for Employees?
Employees will see a range of new benefits as a result of these changes:
- More paid vacation: Some workers could be able to reach the 10-year threshold faster, qualifying for 26 days of vacation instead of 20.
- Longer notice periods: More employees will qualify for 3-month notice periods instead of just one, depending on their newly recognized length of service.
- Higher severance pay: Employees may be entitled to increased severance pay, such as the highest package of three months’ salary for eight years of qualifying service.
To ensure any entitled benefits are applied, employees will be responsible for providing evidence of their employment tenure history. Self-employment and civil contracts can be verified with a certificate obtained from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) confirming periods of pay.
How Can Employers be Prepared?
The reform means operational, legal, and financial adjustments. HR departments will need to recalculate employee tenures, update employment processes, and revise leave policies, severance agreements, and employment contracts.
Employers are advised to inform their workforce early so employees can begin preparing this documentation before 2026. Larger organizations should begin staff training and system audits to avoid a last-minute rush.
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