The 2024 Summer Olympic Games began Friday, July 26. To celebrate this international event, Littler offices around the globe will share key changes in labor and employment laws that have transpired since the last time their countries hosted the Olympic games.1Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
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Poland has not hosted the Olympics yet, but discussions about hosting at least the Winter Games keep coming up. Hopefully, one day we'll welcome Olympic athletes and fans! For now, Poland's biggest sporting event remains Euro 2012, which we co-hosted with Ukraine, just a few months before the Olympics took place in London.
Since then, Polish employees have achieved some significant victories, almost catching up to Michael Phelps with his 23 Olympic gold medals. Key victories for employees include a substantial increase in the minimum wage – from PLN 1,500 in 2012 to PLN 4,300 today (approximately USD 1,100). Rewards for top athletes have also risen impressively – a gold medalist in 2012 received PLN 120,000, while a gold medalist in Paris will receive PLN 250,000 and a valuable apartment.
Job security for Polish employees has also improved. A few years ago, a law was passed that limits employers to offering a maximum of three fixed-term contracts to any employee, with a total duration of 33 months. Previously, there was no limit on these contracts, which could last for several years, spanning multiple Olympic cycles.
For employers, a significant change is coming with the introduction of the Whistleblower Protection Act in September 2024. While the delay in implementing the EU Directive means Poland won't win a medal in this race, the Act is a victory for employers, enabling them to better prevent and address legal violations within their organizations. Soon, all Polish companies with at least 50 employees will need to introduce an internal reporting policy and set up reporting channels for employees. Setting up these procedures should be much faster than training for the Olympics!
Recent changes in Polish employment law are positive but also present challenges for employers that need to adapt. The rapid pace of the ongoing changes can be overwhelming. Employers should consult with their employment counsel for help navigating these changes smoothly, removing hurdles, and ensuring they succeed in this marathon.
*Kamil Nazimek is a trainee attorney with PCS | Littler.
See Footnotes
1 Littler’s International Guide discusses more than 90 workplace law topics in over 45 countries/territories, including jurisdictions in every region of the world. For more information on the International Guide, please contact your Littler attorney or KM – Managing Editor/Publications Kristen Countryman. In addition, Littler’s Global Guide Quarterly (GGQ) provides high‐level notice of recent global labor and employment law developments in key countries in the American, EMEA, and APAC regions. Click here to subscribe to the GGQ.
