This guide covers the key aspects of notice periods in Poland for employment contracts, contracts of mandate, and temporary work agency contracts.

Employment Contracts (UoP)

Employment contracts, known as Umowa o Pracę (UoP), offer the most employee protection and have specific notice period regulations based on the length of employment with a particular employer.

Notice periods for UoP depend on how long an employee has worked for the company:

• Two weeks for employment less than six months
• One month for employment at least six months but less than three years
• Three months for employment of three years or more

These notice periods apply to both the employer and the employee. It’s important to note that the length of service is counted from the first day of employment with that specific employer, regardless of any changes in contract type within the same company.

During the notice period, an employee is still entitled to all their rights, including salary and benefits. In certain situations, an employer might shorten the notice period for an employee, but this usually requires mutual agreement and often involves compensation for the employee for the unworked period.

For a standard Umowa o Pracę, the notice period does not start the moment you hand in the letter. Instead, it is tied to the end of a specific time block. If the notice period is in weeks, it begins on the first Sunday following the day the notice was served. If the notice period is in months, it starts on the first day of the following calendar month. This means if an employee with a three month notice period resigns on the 10th of July, their notice period officially starts on the 1st of August and ends on the 31st of October.

Contracts of Mandate (UZ)

Contracts of mandate, or Umowa Zlecenia, are civil law contracts and have much more flexibility regarding notice periods. Unlike employment contracts, the notice period for a contract of mandate is not legally defined unless specified in the contract itself.

If the contract of mandate does not state a notice period, either party can terminate it immediately, though this should be done in good faith. It is highly advisable for both parties to include a clear notice period clause in the contract to avoid disputes. This provides certainty and allows for a smoother transition. Typical notice periods in these contracts might range from a few days to a month, depending on the nature of the work and agreement between the parties.

Because an Umowa Zlecenia is governed by the Civil Code rather than the Labour Code, the rules for when a notice period starts are simple. Unless the contract specifically states otherwise, the notice period begins immediately on the day the notice is effectively delivered to the other party. There are no requirements to wait for the end of a week or the start of a new month. The period is counted in natural days from the date of receipt, making it a faster and less rigid process than a standard employment contract.

Temporary Work Agency Contracts

Temporary work agency contracts involve three parties: the temporary work agency, the temporary employee, and the user employer (the company where the temporary employee actually performs work). The notice periods here are regulated by the Act on Employment of Temporary Employees.

The notice period for a temporary work agency contract depends on the duration for which the contract was concluded:

• Three working days if the contract was for a period not exceeding two weeks
• One week if the contract was for a period longer than two weeks

These notice periods apply to both the temporary work agency and the temporary employee. The user employer does not directly terminate the contract with the temporary employee but informs the agency if their need for the temporary worker ends.

The start date for notice periods regarding temporary work contracts is unique because it is calculated in working days or weeks. For contracts shorter than two weeks, the three day notice period begins on the day following the day the notice was submitted. For longer contracts where a one week notice period applies, the period ends on the Saturday of the following week. Like the UoP, these dates are fixed to specific points in the calendar week to ensure there is a clear end date for both the agency and the worker.

TL;DR for Notice Periods in Poland