Reduced working hours - it's already happening! A team at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has begun work
22.04.2026
On 22 April 2026, the Working Group on Reduced Working Hours began its work at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. Its role will be to monitor the implementation by employers in the private and public sectors of a pilot programme to reduce working hours whilst maintaining pay.
Employers from all sectors of the economy were eligible to participate in the pilot programme of reduced working hours with full pay, organised by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. Solutions covering almost 5,000 employees are being tested by 80 organisations. It is the largest pilot programme of reduced working hours in the world.
On 22 April 2026, the inaugural meeting of the Working Group on Reduced Working Hours was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy; the Group will oversee the implementation of the pilot programme.
Today’s meeting marks the start of work that will have a real impact on the future of the labour market in Poland. Work that is based on experience, data and specific solutions already being implemented today in dozens of Polish organisations, said the Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk at the meeting.
Important deadlines!
Phase I: Preparations for the introduction of reduced working hours – concluded on 31 December 2025.
Phase II: Testing the implementation of reduced working hours in the working environment - starts on 1 January 2026 and runs until 31 December 2026.
Phase III: Summary of the implementation of the pilot project - ends no later than 15 May 2027 (by this date, the Project Implementer is obliged to submit the final report and the quarterly employer and employee surveys to the Minister).