Working Hours and Overtime in Poland

What Are the Standard Working Hours in Poland?

In Poland, the standard working time is set at 8 hours per day and an average of 40 hours per week, typically distributed over a five-day working week. Employees are entitled to a minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours and a weekly rest period of at least 35 consecutive hours, usually including Sunday. A minimum meal interval of 15 minutes must be observed by employees who work more than 6 hours in a day. In typical working hours, Monday through Friday, the hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in Poland

The Polish Labour Code stipulates that the total working time, including overtime, must not exceed an average of 48 hours per week within the applicable reference period. Daily working hours, inclusive of overtime, are capped at 13 hours to ensure the mandatory 11-hour rest period between shifts. Overtime is permissible in emergency situations and for the employer’s special needs, with a general annual limit of 150 hours unless otherwise specified in a collective labor agreement.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

Certain industries in Poland operate under unique working hour regulations due to the nature of their work. For instance, sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and security services may implement extended working hours. In such cases, daily working time can be extended up to 12 hours in a reference period not exceeding one month, with the possibility of further extensions under specific conditions.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Under Polish labor laws, managerial employees—those managing the establishment on behalf of the employer—are generally exempt from standard working hour limitations. They may not be entitled to additional compensation for overtime work, except when they work on Sundays or public holidays without receiving a compensatory rest day.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in Poland

Full-time employment in Poland is legally defined as working 8 hours per day and an average of 40 hours per week, within an average five-day working week. This standard applies across various industries and roles, though specific sectors may have tailored regulations to address particular operational needs.

Overtime Regulations in Poland

Overtime work in Poland is subject to strict regulations designed to prevent excessive working hours and to ensure fair compensation.

What Counts As Overtime in Poland?

Overtime is defined as work performed beyond the standard working hours applicable to an employee. This includes work exceeding 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Overtime is permitted in cases such as emergencies, breakdown repairs, and meeting the special needs of an employer.

Maximum Overtime in Poland

The number of overtime hours worked due to an employer’s special needs must not exceed 150 hours per calendar year for an individual employee. However, this limit can be adjusted through collective labor agreements or workplace regulations, provided that the average weekly working time, including overtime, does not exceed 48 hours in the reference period.

Overtime Payout Rates in Poland

Employees are entitled to their regular remuneration for each hour of overtime work, plus an additional allowance. The allowance is 100% of the remuneration for overtime work performed at night, on Sundays, and on public holidays that are not working days for the employee. For overtime work on other days, the allowance is 50% of the remuneration. Alternatively, upon the employee's request, overtime can be compensated with time off equal to the number of overtime hours worked.

Rest Periods and Breaks in Poland

Employees in Poland are entitled to at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest every day and at least 35 hours of uninterrupted rest each week, which should include a Sunday. For workdays exceeding 6 hours, employees are granted a minimum 15-minute break, counted as working time. Employers may introduce an additional break of up to 60 minutes for meal or personal purposes, which is not included in working time.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Night work in Poland is defined as work performed between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Employees performing night work are entitled to an additional allowance of 20% of the hourly rate resulting from the minimum remuneration for work. Work on Sundays and public holidays is generally prohibited, except in specific circumstances such as necessary repairs, continuous work, or services essential to the public. In such cases, employees are entitled to a day off in lieu or additional compensation.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That’s the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

• ‍Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
• ‍Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.