Poland Pioneers Shorter Workweek: Pilot Program Promises Fridays Off and Increased Leave
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A groundbreaking initiative is set to reshape the work-life balance for thousands of Polish employees. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy (MRPiPS) will launch a pilot program testing reduced working hours, offering options ranging from Fridays off to extended holiday allowances. The program’s success could pave the way for a nationwide shift in working practices.
The MRPiPS project, involving over 30 local government units, aims to evaluate the impact of shorter work schedules on key areas including employment levels, worker productivity, employee health, work organization, and the crucial ability to reconcile professional and personal commitments. Recruitment for participating entities concluded on September 15, 2025, following an initial launch on August 14, 2025.
Flexibility at the Forefront: Employer Choice in Reduced Hours
The program prioritizes employer flexibility, allowing participants to choose the model that best suits their needs. Options include reducing working time by 10% and then 20% while maintaining current remuneration and working conditions, or adopting a bottom-up approach with options like Fridays off, seven-hour workdays, or increased vacation time. Most local governments intend to pilot at least two of these models.
The Mstów Commune Office, for example, plans a hybrid approach, combining shortened daily hours with additional free Fridays. “This model will allow us to check how different variants of a shorter working week affect the efficiency and organization of the office,” stated the mayor of Mstów commune, Tomasz Gęsiarz.
Extended Leave as a Key Component
Beyond reduced weekly hours, some participating entities are exploring increased annual leave. The District Office in Olesno will grant employees an additional 13 days off, mandated for use in the first half of the year. Similarly, the Commune and City Hall of Nowe Skalmierzyce are planning to offer 77 hours of additional leave, equating to a 20% reduction in total working time. The City Hall in Miastko will offer 11 days of leave alongside a reduction to a 35-hour workweek.
Financial Support and Technological Investment
Employers qualifying for the program can receive up to PLN 1 million (approximately $240,000 USD) in funding for implementation, capped at PLN 20,000 (approximately $4,800 USD) per employee. Local governments are allocating these funds not only to cover wage costs but also to invest in technologies aimed at improving resident services. The Michałowice Commune Office, for instance, plans to implement autonomous AI tools, info kiosks, payment machines, and other digital solutions. “As part of the pilot, the office will also implement solutions supporting the digitization and automation of work,” emphasized Dorota Matejko-Cichocka, a specialist in the Development and External Funds Department.
Broad Participation: Local Governments and Private Companies
The initiative extends beyond the public sector, with 90 employers – including private companies – selected from a pool of 1,994 applicants announced on October 15, 2025. Among the private sector participants receiving the maximum PLN 1 million in funding are Pol-Elektra Sp. z o. o., Livingston Poland Sp. z o.o., and Luma Services Sp. z o.o. A significant portion of the selected entities are municipalities, including Woźniki commune, Parczew County, and the City of Leszno. A complete list of participating entities can be found [here](link to list – placeholder).
Legal Framework and Existing Options
While the MRPiPS program introduces a novel approach, Polish labor law already allows for flexible working arrangements. Article 143 of the Labor Code permits a shortened workweek, with employees potentially working fewer than five days a week while extending daily hours – up to a maximum of 12 hours – within a one-month settlement period. However, unlike the MRPiPS program, this existing framework typically requires maintaining the same total weekly hours.
The Future of Work in Poland: Awaiting Results
The pilot program will run from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Employers will then be able to implement shortened working hours permanently, though government support for continued implementation remains uncertain. A comprehensive summary of the pilot’s findings is due by May 15, 2027, including final reports and quarterly surveys of both employers and employees. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy will then determine the next steps, with some speculating that the introduction of shortened working hours could become a key issue in the 2027 election campaign.
