Employer of record in Poland | Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits in Poland

Bonuses and additional payments

In Poland, bonus structures are typically outlined in individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements. While there is no statutory obligation for employers to provide bonuses, many organizations offer performance-based incentives to reward employee contributions and productivity.

Annual leave

In Poland, employees’ annual leave entitlement is determined by their total length of service, which includes both work experience and educational periods. Employees with less than 10 years of total service are entitled to 20 days of paid annual leave per year, while those with 10 or more years are entitled to 26 days. For employees commencing their first job, the right to annual leave accrues at a rate of 1/12 of the annual entitlement for each month worked during the first calendar year of employment.

Employers may offer more generous leave policies as part of their benefits package. Additionally, employees have the right to up to four days of “leave on demand” each calendar year, which can be taken without prior notice and is included within the total annual leave entitlement.

Sick leave

In Poland, employees are entitled to paid sick leave when unable to work due to illness or injury. During the first 33 days of incapacity within a calendar year (or 14 days for employees aged 50 and above), the employer pays 80% of the employee’s remuneration. If the illness occurs during pregnancy or results from an accident on the way to or from work, the employee receives 100% of their remuneration. After these initial periods, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) assumes responsibility for sickness benefits, continuing at 80% of the assessment basis. Employees must provide a medical certificate to qualify for these benefits.

Parental leave

Female employees in Poland are entitled to maternity leave, the duration of which depends on the number of children the employee is giving birth to:

• 20 weeks for the birth of one child
• 31 weeks for twins
• 33 weeks for triplets
• 35 weeks for quadruplets
• 37 weeks for five or more children

At least 14 weeks must be taken by the mother; the remaining portion can be transferred to the father. During maternity leave, employees receive 100% of their salary, funded by social insurance (ZUS).

Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave, which can be taken until the child reaches 12 months of age. This leave can be used in one continuous period or split into two one-week periods. During paternity leave, fathers receive 100% of their salary, funded by social insurance (ZUS).

After maternity or paternity leave, parents can take up to 32 weeks of parental leave for one child or 34 weeks for multiple births. This leave can be shared between both parents and taken simultaneously or separately. During parental leave, the benefit is paid at 100% for the first six weeks (eight weeks for multiple births) and 60% for the remaining period, unless the employee opts for a uniform 80% benefit for the entire duration by applying within 21 days after childbirth.

Employees are also entitled to unpaid childcare leave to take care of sick children until the child reaches the age of six. This leave can be taken in up to five parts and allows parents to provide personal care for their child.

Additional benefits

While Poland offers public healthcare to all citizens through the NFZ, many employers opt to provide supplementary private health insurance to ensure faster access to medical services and broader coverage. As your employer of record in Poland, we can advise on both mandatory and optional benefits, helping you design a comprehensive compensation package that complies with Polish labor laws and meets the needs of your employees.