Employee rights in Poland: what to do if your salary is delayed or contract terms are violated

Poland is one of the most popular labor markets for Ukrainian citizens. Although Polish labor law is quite strict and aimed at protecting employees, in practice, delays in salary payments or violations of employment contracts are not uncommon.

Key employee rights in Poland

1. The right to timely salary payment (usually by the 10th of each month).
2. The right to a written employment contract at the start of the job (umowa o pracę, umowa zlecenie).
3. Receiving pay slips for each salary payment.
4. Overtime payment according to the rate specified in the contract.
5. The right to rest, sick leave, paid vacation, and social insurance.

What to do if your salary is not paid?

1. Contact your employer. The first step is to calmly clarify the situation. A delay might be caused by a mistake or technical issues. A written request is always better than a verbal one.
2. Official complaint. Prepare a written demand for payment of the outstanding salary. It should include the number of hours, the hourly rate, and the total amount owed. The complaint can be sent via email or post.

Where to turn in case of non-payment or violations:

National Labour Inspectorate — Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)

This is the authority that protects employee rights in Poland. Complaints can be submitted:

• online through a form,
• by post,
• or in person at a local office.

Website: www.pip.gov.pl

Labour Court — Sąd Pracy

• Claims are filed at the place of work or residence of the employee.
• The court handles cases of unpaid salaries, unlawful dismissal, discrimination, etc.
• A claim can be filed independently without a lawyer.
• If the claim is successful, the employer is obligated to pay the debt and may be ordered to cover court costs.

Police or Prosecutor’s Office

If the employer intentionally withholds wages or commits fraud (e.g., by signing a fake contract or promising payments that are not fulfilled), the employee has the right to contact:

• Police — to report a criminal offense,
• Prosecutor’s Office — in cases of serious financial crimes.

What documents to prepare?

To protect your rights effectively, it’s important to have:

• A copy of the signed contract (umowa o pracę / zlecenie / o dzieło)
• Proof of hours worked (schedules, timesheets, messages)
• Bank statements (showing salary was not received)
• Any correspondence with the employer (SMS, email, messengers)
• A written demand for salary payment (wezwanie do zapłaty)

Do you need to know Polish?

No, knowledge of Polish is not required, but:

• You can find interpreters or use online forms at PIP.
• You can request a translator in court.
• Applications can be written in Ukrainian or Russian — clarity is key.

Useful tips:

• Always sign a written contract — do not work based on verbal agreements.
• Track your working hours (even independently).
• Don’t be afraid to contact public authorities — the law in Poland protects workers.
• Join forces with others if several people have the same problem — a group complaint is more impactful.

Conclusion

Poland has a well-defined system for protecting employee rights. In case of delayed payment or contract violations, you have:

• the legal right to defend yourself,
• mechanisms for resolution through PIP, court, or police,
• and support at both language and legal levels.

Don’t stay silent — your actions can not only recover what you’re owed but also prevent future violations.