Reduced working time – a project with subsidies for companies

The Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Policy announced the launch of a pilot programme of reduced working time. This is the first initiative of its kind in Poland, giving companies the opportunity to test new solutions with substantial financial support of up to PLN 1 million.

Why are working hours reduced? The Ministry explains.

A growing body of research and international experience indicates that reducing working hours does not necessarily mean a decrease in efficiency. On the contrary, it can contribute to increased productivity, improved employee well-being, and reduced turnover. However, the key is a flexible approach, tailored to the specific needs of the industry and organization.

The Ministry emphasizes that reducing working hours cannot be imposed from above, therefore the pilot project aims to develop the best solutions that will work in various entities.

Who can participate in the pilot project?

The programme is aimed at a wide range of employers, both private and public. Its goal is to enable each employer to explore which short-time work solutions will best suit their organization.

What support can an entrepreneur count on?

The maximum value of support for a single pilot project is PLN 1 million. It is also important to note that the project cost per employee participating in the pilot cannot exceed PLN 20,000. Funding can be allocated to:

• Substantive costs: research, analyses, expertise regarding implementation, employee expectations, training and salary subsidies.
• Service costs: related to information, promotion, coordination, recruitment and supervision of the project (maximum 10% of the project value).

Application deadlines – what are they?

The recruitment calendar includes key dates:

• From August 14, 2025 – till September 15, 2025 – submitting applications to the programme (only electronically via the provided application generator).
• By October 15, 2025 – results of the recruitment process and publication of the list of projects recommended for implementation.
• After October 15, 2025 – stage of signing contracts.

What conditions should an employer meet?

To qualify for the pilot project, employers must meet the following criteria:

• Running a business for at least 12 months before the date of submission of the application.
• Employing at least 75% of employees on the basis of an employment contract, appointment, election, nomination or cooperative employment contract.
• Coverage of at least 50% of employees in the project.
• Maintaining employment at a level not lower than 90% of the initial level specified in the application.
• Maintaining the remuneration of employees participating in the pilot project at a level no lower than that applicable on the date of the project’s commencement, throughout its duration.
• No deterioration in working conditions and pay of employees covered by the project.

What should the application contain?

The application must be submitted electronically. It should include the following:

• Application for allocation of Labour Fund reserve funds.
• Detailed pilot project (description, purpose, justification, assumptions, results and measures).
• Required declarations include, among others, the systematic completion of questionnaires, no arrears in payments to employees, no tax arrears and no payment of social security contributions, no outstanding civil law liabilities and a declaration of cooperation with the employment office.

Project implementation stages – what are they?

The implementation of the pilot project begins on the date of conclusion of the contract and is divided into three key stages:

• Stage I: Preparation (until December 31, 2025) – time to prepare for the introduction of shortened working hours.
• Stage II: Testing (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026) – actual testing of the implemented solutions.
• Stage III: Summary (by May 15, 2027) – preparation of the final report and submission of quarterly surveys.

Are companies ready for shortened working time?

A pilot programme for shortened working time is undoubtedly an opportunity to test an innovative approach to work organization that can bring real benefits to both the company and its employees. Research conducted by the Institute for Structural Research shows that weekly working hours in Poland are, on average, longer than in other European Union countries, with women in Poland working 4.6 hours longer per week than women in other EU countries, and men working 1.9 hours longer per week.

However, labour shortages in Poland will soon deepen due to unfavourable demographic changes. According to forecasts, 21 of 39 professional groups will face labour shortages by 2040. On the other hand, technological progress, including the development of artificial intelligence (AI), may reduce the demand for labour in some professions in the future, especially those related to office work.

A survey conducted by the ClickMeeting platform shows that every fourth Pole, or rather 43%, believes that shorter working hours could translate into greater employee productivity. However, this issue raises significantly more concerns among employers, for whom shortening working hours would be a significant challenge and would entail a significant change in the current work management models. Therefore, for the good of the economy, final decisions on this matter should be preceded by thorough research and broad consultations to ensure their positive impact.

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