The Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Policy is, until September 15, 2025, accepting applications to participate in the shortened working week pilot program. We take a look at what this groundbreaking project entails and how employers can benefit from it.
Who can participate in the shortened work week pilot program?
The pilot program is aimed at employers who:
- have been in business for at least 12 months prior to the date of submitting their application to participate in the pilot program; and
- employ at least 75% of their employees on the basis of employment contracts, appointments, elections, nominations, or cooperative employment contracts. Detailed conditions are set out in the Rules for the selection of pilot projects under the name “Reduced working hours – it’s happening!”.
Procedure for recruiting employers for the pilot program
Employers meeting the criteria specified in the Regulations and wishing to participate in the pilot program must submit:
- An application for Labour Fund reserve funds to finance the pilot project
- The pilot project
These documents must be submitted in electronic form by September 15, 2025, via the Witkac.pl website.
The Commission will evaluate these projects, and then submit a list of recommended projects to the Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Policy.
The pilot projects will be implemented on the basis of agreements concluded between each of the selected employers and the Minister.
What does “reducing working hours” mean?
As part of the pilot program, employers will be able to test various models of reduced working hours, tailored to the specific nature of the company and the needs of employers and employees.
The most popular models used in practice are:
- reducing the number of working days per week (e.g., working only 4 days per week)
- reducing the number of working hours on individual working days (e.g., working only 4 hours on Mondays and Fridays)
- reducing the number of working hours by granting additional days off per month
- granting additional days off in the form of vacation leave
When making a decision, consulting a lawyer will help you evaluate the benefits of each specific solution.
What are the basic rules for conducting the pilot program?
During the pilot program, employers must reduce the working hours of at least 50% of employees in various positions and maintain employment at a level not lower than 90% of the initial level.
In addition, employers participating in the project are required to maintain the salaries of employees covered by the pilot program at a level not lower than on the day the pilot program began. Participation in the pilot program cannot worsen the working conditions and pay of any employees covered by it.
What funding can employers count on?
Employers selected to participate in the pilot program will receive financial support. The maximum amount of funding per pilot project is PLN 1 million, with the cost of the project per employee covered by the pilot program not exceeding PLN 20,000.
Is it worth participating in the pilot program?
The benefits of reducing working hours include:
- reduction of employer costs (including lower commuting and office maintenance allowances);
- benefits for the environment (including reduced exhaust emissions and lower electricity consumption)
- increased employee productivity and reduced absenteeism
However, reducing working hours (if the reduced working hours model is not suited to a particular company) may be associated with, among other things:
- potential discrepancies in relation to customer expectations and service availability
- overtime work due to the need to perform the same duties in a shorter period of time
Therefore, before making a final decision, it is worth analyzing all factors and choosing the most optimal solution.
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