Employment law developments in Poland: restructuring, whistleblower protections and transparency obligations

Wolf Theiss’ employment law practice advising in Poland has seen a marked increase in redundancies and reorganisations, most notably in the manufacturing and automotive sectors. This trend has been accompanied by a rise in internal investigations, following the introduction of whistleblower protection regulations on 25 September 2024 and the rollout of internal reporting channels. These developments reflect growing employee awareness of legal protections and a willingness to report misconduct, although many of the cases reviewed have involved allegations such as mobbing or discrimination raised post-termination and have not resulted in formal proceedings.

Another area of heightened activity involves the potential reclassification of civil law contracts into employment contracts. A draft law proposed by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy would empower the National Labour Inspectorate to make such reclassifications by administrative decision, with an implementation date set for 1 January 2026. In response, many employers are conducting audits to assess workforce structures and mitigate legal exposure.

Looking ahead, the implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive is expected to generate further advisory work, particularly around compensation structures, pay audits and the identification of potential pay gaps. A significant number of employers have yet to begin preparations in this area. In addition, proposed amendments to the Labour Code concerning mobbing are likely to prompt a review of internal policies and procedures, with increased demand for support in developing preventive measures and victim assistance frameworks.

With regulatory changes continuing to shape employment practices in Poland, companies are facing new legal and operational challenges. These include restructuring, whistleblower protections, contract classification and the forthcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive. As a result, the demand for strategic employment law advice remains strong. Wolf Theiss is actively supporting clients in adapting to these developments and preparing for what lies ahead.