Poland’s government has published proposed amendments to the labour code designed to strengthen workers rights, and in particular support family life. The changes are a national implementation of EU directives on working conditions and work-life balance for parents and carers.
The new measures include an extension of parental leave by nine weeks, the introduction of additional days off for carers, and a requirement for employers to provide an explanation in the case of contract termination (regardless of the contract type).
“These changes are undoubtedly beneficial for balancing professional with family life,” notes Irena Kotowska, a professor at Warsaw School of Economics.
A key change proposed by the ministry of family, labour and social policy is a requirement for employers to provide an explanation when they decide to terminate a fixed-term contract. Currently that requirement only applies to employees with indefinite contracts.
Additionally, under the new rules, a person employed on a temporary basis will every year have the right to ask for a permanent contract and the employer will have to provide a written explanation if they refuse this claim.
The new regulations “will be probably the biggest regulatory challenge for employers this year,” Arkadiusz Pączka, deputy head of the Association of Polish Employers, told the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily.
Another significant change proposed in the new law is the extension of parental leave from the current 32 weeks up to 41 weeks. The measures will also introduce a non-transferrable nine weeks of leave for each parent as part of those 41 weeks.
So, what that means in practice, notes TVN24, is that fathers are now being given an extra nine weeks of leave. During that time off work they will be entitled to receive 70% of their pay.
Best countries for young parents re. paid parental leave (focus is on equal treatment of fathers/mothers): 5 "eastern" EU countries amongst Top 10. No such thing as "backward Eastern Europe". pic.twitter.com/iVuZzDq8uW
— Boris Kálnoky (@bkalnoky) November 25, 2021
In line with the EU directives, regulations introducing additional days off are also to be implemented into the labour law. In order to take care of a family member or another person living in the same household, employees will be able to take five days of unpaid leave a year.
Additionally, they will be able to take two days (or 16 hours) off each year whenever there is a family emergency caused by illness or an accident and still receive 50% of their salary.
The proposed law also includes measures that will extend the possibility of working flexibility. These are to apply to working parents of children under eight and people taking care of family members requiring special support.
These changes as especially beneficial for working parents and are aimed to help them balance professional and family life, notes Kotowska.
However, she also argues that the government has missed an opportunity to introduce regulations extending even further leave for parents of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
“It would provide significant support for them in caring for children and combining this challenging care with professional work,” she told Gazeta Wyborcza.
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Agnieszka Wądołowska is deputy editor of Notes from Poland. She has previously worked for Gazeta.pl and Tokfm.pl and contributed to Gazeta Wyborcza, Wysokie Obcasy, Duży Format, Midrasz and Kultura Liberalna
