In Poland, employees working under an employment contract with a five-day workweek will receive an additional day off on August 15, 2026. The state holiday falls on a Saturday, reducing the working time limit by eight hours. Employers who violate the rules face a fine of up to 60,000 zł.
This is reported by inPoland.
Importantly, the employer is not obligated to free the employee from work specifically on August 15th. They may designate a compensatory day off on another date within the same accounting period.
Who in Poland is entitled to an additional day off on August 15, 2026
The right primarily applies to employees employed under umowa o pracę, for whom Saturday is a day off within the five-day workweek. Those working under umowa zlecenie or B2B are not automatically covered by this rule.
The date of the additional day off is determined by the employer. They must inform the team in advance and provide a day off before the end of the current accounting period.
The main rules are as follows:
- The holiday on August 15 reduces the working norm by eight hours;
- The date of the compensatory day off is set by the employer;
- The day off must fall within the same accounting period;
- The employee cannot choose the date independently without agreement;
- There is no automatic compensation for civil law contracts.
For public service employees, the day off for August 15 has been set for Friday, August 14. Private companies may choose another day.
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What fines do employers in Poland face after August 15, 2026
Failing to provide the proper day off is considered a violation of working time norms and employee rights. From July 8, 2026, fines for such violations in Poland range from 2,000 to 60,000 zł.
The maximum amount may be set by the court. A State Labor Inspector can issue a fine within their authority or refer the matter to court during an inspection.
If the employee has booked leave on the designated date, that day should not be deducted from their balance: it is counted as a compensatory day off. If a person was on sick leave that day, the employer is not obliged to set another date.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Day of the Polish Army are official holidays. Working on August 15 is allowed only in sectors defined by law, but it must be compensated according to labor legislation.
Let us remind you that in Poland they want to impose 30 years in prison for army violations.