We are one of the hardest-working nations in Europe, but the number of hours spent at work does not always translate into efficiency. What is more, in most industries, long working hours often do not lead to increased productivity. We lack time to rest, time for our loved ones and time for ourselves. At the same time, we are witnessing dynamic technological changes and the AI revolution.

Just like modern economies such as France, Denmark, Belgium and Spain, we want to focus on smarter work organisation in Poland. The shorter working day is already proving successful in some companies, such as Herbapol Poznań. 

Shorter working day improve employee well-being 

All of this leads us in one direction – a shorter working day. This is confirmed by the analyses we have conducted in recent months.

Everyone benefits. What do employees gain? Better health, lower risk of burnout, time for themselves and their loved ones, as well as opportunities for personal development and a longer professional life. Employers, in turn, can enjoy increased employee efficiency and creativity, fewer mistakes and accidents, as well as reduced absenteeism and personal leave. On top of this, there is greater competitiveness on the labour market. 

Importantly, contrary to popular belief, a shorter working day does not have a negative impact on companies' financial results. 

We are shortening the working day! 

On 28 April 2025, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy announced the start of preparations for the launch of a pilot project to shorten the working day. 

This will be the first pilot project for a shorter working day in this part of Europe, the first in our region, and the first pilot project on such a large scale in Poland. We want to encourage a shorter working day and encourage testing of solutions in various types of organisations. Entrepreneurs, local government units, foundations, associations and trade unions will be able to participate in the pilot programme so that every employer will be able to see how it works, said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

Salaries will remain unchanged 

As indicated by the head of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, there are many ways to shorten the working day in a company. The number of hours worked in a single day can be reduced, they can be spread over several days a week, or additional days off can be granted. Participants in the pilot programme will choose the model of shortening the working day that best suits their organisation. 

The most important principle of the pilot programme is: fewer working hours – but the same pay! The first three months of the pilot programme will be devoted to preparation, and the following months to testing the solutions in practice. We will allocate PLN 10 million from the Labour Fund for the implementation of the pilot programme during the first year.

By 30 June 2025, we will announce the rules and conditions under which the pilot programme will operate, and in the following months we will launch the recruitment process. 

‘This is the direction we should be heading in.’

During the conference, Jędrzej Jankowski-Guzy, Director of the Economic Analysis Department at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, listed the most important conclusions from the analyses. As he emphasised, they clearly indicate that shortening the working day is the direction we should be heading in. He added that the goal is to reduce working hours by 20 per cent per year. 

Krzysztof Kukucki, President of Włocławek, pointed out that shortening the working day in his city began in the city hall, was then extended to subordinate units, and this year the solution was also implemented in municipal companies. Today, several thousand people enjoy the benefits of a 35-hour working week. 

An important perspective for a manufacturing company was presented by Tomasz Kaczmarek, President of the Management Board and CEO of Herbapol Poznań S.A. Talking about the introduction of the first changes to shorten the working day in 2023, he admitted that this decision was met with criticism and scepticism, including among some employees. However, the well-being of employees was the priority. 

The principle we followed was that employees on this shift should only gain, and the company should not lose. From the very beginning, we assumed that the changes would be introduced step by step, said Tomasz Kaczmarek from Herbapol Poznań S.A.

The result? Among other things, lower employee turnover and absenteeism. But that's not all. As he pointed out, Herbapol Poznań achieved its best financial results for 2024 in over a decade. Shortening working hours was one of the building blocks for this success. 

A team for the shortened working day will be established