At a glance
- On 14 August 2025, the Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy officially launched the pilot programme 'Reduced Working Hours – It’s Happening!'
- Employers can apply online between 14 August and 15 September 2025 to join the Polish Ministry’s pilot programme for reduced working hours.
- Selected projects may receive funding by the Labour Fund.
- Employers must meet specific eligibility requirements such as they must have operated for at least 12 months, include at least 50% of their workforce in the programme, and maintain 90% of initial participant levels throughout.
- Implementation models are flexible and can come in the form of four-day work weeks or additional days off amongst other things.
- The programme runs in three stages from agreement signing through to 15 May 2027, including preparation, testing, and final reporting.
On 14 August 2025, the Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy officially launched the pilot programme 'Reduced Working Hours – It’s Happening!'. This initiative aims to explore and promote best practices for implementing reduced working hours across the Polish labour market. Employers have until 15 September 2025 to submit applications online.
Selected employers may receive up to PLN1,000,000 in funding from the Labour Fund, with a cap of PLN20,000 per participating employee.
Eligibility criteria for employers
Participation is open to all employers, public and private. Key conditions include:
- Employment structure
- At least 75% of staff must be employed under an employment contract.
- Employers must maintain at least 90% of the initial number of participating employees throughout the programme.
- At least 50% of the workforce must be included in the pilot.
- The employer must have operated for at least 12 months prior to application.
- Working conditions
- No reduction in remuneration for participating employees.
- No deterioration in working conditions (eg, job role changes, reduced hours, or relocation to more demanding roles).
- Employers must complete regular reporting, including questionnaires and financial reports.
Implementation models
The programme offers flexibility in how reduced working hours are applied. Employers can choose from:
- Four-day work weeks.
- Shortened daily hours (eg seven-hour days or early finishes on Fridays).
- Additional monthly days off.
- Extra holiday leave.
Employers can also propose custom models tailored to their business needs and test multiple approaches.
Any significant circumstances that may affect the programme's implementation must be reported to the Ministry within seven working days from the date of being informed of the circumstance. In special cases, the employer can sign an annex to the agreement if the programme needs to be changed.
Funding structure
Funding from the Labour Fund covers:
- Administrative costs (up to 10% of project value): coordination, monitoring, evaluation.
- Substantive costs: expert consultations, documentation, employee training, salary co-financing.
Programme timeline
- Application period: 14 August – 15 September 2025.
- Selection announcement: By 15 October 2025.
- Stage 1 (Preparation): From agreement signing to 31 December 2025.
- Stage 2 (Testing): 1 January – 31 December 2026.
- Stage 3 (Evaluation): Final report and surveys due by 15 May 2027.
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