Latest changes in labour law – August 2025

Lawyers from the Romanowski i Wspólnicy law firm – Emil Smogorzewski, PhD, and Klaudia Szwarczyńska – have prepared up-to-date information on upcoming changes in labour law, available [HERE – Polish version only].

The most important changes:

The National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) will gain the right to convert civil law contracts into employment contracts
Inspectors will be able to issue administrative decisions that will immediately convert the contract, even before the court has considered the appeal.

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will take over the payment of sick pay from the first day
Employers will be exempt from the costs and administrative obligations associated with the first days of incapacity for work.

More flexible communication with trade unions and the works council
The exchange of information will also be possible electronically or in document form.

New obligation to inform foreigners about their right to trade unions
The regulations came into force on 1 June 2025, but there are discrepancies in their interpretation, e.g. whether they also cover persons already employed.

Why is this important?
Employers should already verify their contracts and procedures to avoid risks and comply with the new regulations.

Employer, you will check diplomas, store e-health and safety documents, and… take care of the temperature!

The labor law team at Romanowski & Partners – attorney Emil Smogorzewski, PhD, counsel, and Klaudia Szwarczyńska, associate – have prepared a summer summary of the latest changes in regulations important for HR and compliance departments, available [TUTAJ – Polish version only].

What’s new?

Verification of diplomas – from January 1, 2026, employers will be able to verify the authenticity of paper diplomas. All that is required is an electronic request to the university, a fee, and a justification of legal interest.
Draft bill: link

Electronic health and safety training documentation – employees will also be able to confirm completion of initial training in electronic form. The new regulation will enter into force 14 days after its announcement.
Draft regulation: link

Temperature under control – from January 1, 2027, the maximum permissible temperature in the workplace will be 35°C (indoors) and 32°C (outdoor physical work). Already at 28°C, the employer will have to implement heat protection measures – technical or organizational, in consultation with employees.
Draft regulation: link

All changes respond to the real needs of the market – from counteracting counterfeiting, through the digitization of health and safety processes, to protecting the health of employees during hot weather.

It is worth familiarizing yourself with them before they come into force.