Changes to the Employment Experience Calculation Rules in Poland

New rules for calculating employment experience have come into effect in Poland, expanding the list of periods of professional activity considered in the calculation of workers' employment rights. From now on, not only work under an employment contract but also other forms of employment can be included in the experience. This is reported by InPoland.

Employment Experience in Poland: Which Periods Will Now Be Counted

The Polish mining group (PGG) has already begun to implement the new rules following amendments to the country’s Labor Code.

According to the updated regulations, the following periods may be included in employees' employment experience:

• work under commission contracts;
• work under agency contracts;
• periods of conducting business activities;
• other types of professional activities defined by legislation.

To confirm this experience, employees must obtain relevant certificates from the Social Insurance Institution of Poland (ZUS). These can be arranged through the electronic service PUE/eZUS.

PGG has already begun updating the personnel records of employees who submitted the necessary documents.

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New Employment Experience Rules in Poland: What Will Change for Employees

The company explained that the new provisions are the result of changes to the Labor Code and a separate agreement between the management of the enterprise and the trade unions.

It is expected that the new rules will ensure a uniform approach to calculating employment experience and all payments based on the employee's professional experience.

The legislative changes were implemented in stages. For the public sector, they will come into effect on January 1, 2026, and for private employers on May 1, 2026.

Employees can submit documents confirming professional activity performed before the new regulations come into force. The law allows 24 months for this.

The updated employment experience will also affect a number of employment guarantees, including the right to longer annual leave, allowances for years of service, and opportunities for career advancement.

It should be noted that Polish workers are among the most overworked in the European Union. In 2025, the average working week in the country was 38 hours, significantly exceeding the EU average.