Work less, earn the same: a new labor reform announced in Poland.

At the end of April 2025, the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy of Poland will launch a pilot program to reduce working hours without changing salaries and the number of jobs. This innovation is expected to be flexible and take into account the specifics of different industries and enterprises.

The rules of the program will be defined by June 30, 2025, after which the recruitment of participants – companies, authorities, and non-governmental organizations – will begin. The final shape of the program – whether it is a reduction of the working week, the introduction of a four-day working week, or longer vacations – will be developed in cooperation with employees and employers.

The Labor Fund allocates at least 10 million zlotys for the pilot program in 2026. The initiative aims to improve the quality of life for employees and adapt the labor market to the challenges of automation and demographic changes.

However, the idea has not received unanimous support among experts and employers, who are concerned about the additional costs associated with implementing the program. Critics express doubts about the economic viability of such an experiment in the current Polish economy.

Poland launches a pilot program to reduce working hours while maintaining salaries and jobs, but the idea is accompanied by a wave of criticism

In April 2025, the Polish government announced the launch of a pilot program to reduce working hours, which involves changing the working week without losing wages and without reducing jobs. This initiative aims to improve working conditions and adapt to modern challenges. The program is set to be flexible and tailored to the needs of various industries and companies in Poland. However, despite these noble goals, the new program has faced criticism from representatives of employers and labor market experts, who expressed concerns about potential costs and their impact on the country's economy.