[Poland] Sejm passed the act: Christmas Eve a day off. What does it mean for employers?

Sejm adopted the act of 27 November 2024, regarding making Christmas Eve a day off from work. This decision poses a number of challenges for Polish entrepreneurs. Introducing such a change in labour law means additional obligations for employers. So what exactly does an additional day off mean for companies?

Christmas Eve as a day off from work – the main assumptions of the act

The act adopted on 27 November 2024 by the Sejm and submitted for work in the Senate specifies two key changes:

1. establishing Christmas Eve as a day off from work, and

• lifting the ban on trading on the three consecutive Sundays preceding Christmas Eve.

Both changes will come into effect next year. The act is to enter into force on 1 February 2025.

Christmas Eve as a day off – what does it mean for entrepreneurs?

Christmas Eve is to be a day off from 2025. For employers, this means a number of changes and challenges, including:

• Changes to production planning and service scheduling: businesses will have to adapt their production and service plans to the new reality. Industries where production is continuous or requires close synchronization may be particularly affected.
• Additional costs: the introduction of an additional day off may involve the need to employ additional staff or organise work in a shift system, which generates additional costs.
• Competitiveness: polish companies may find themselves in a less favourable competitive situation compared to companies from other countries where Christmas Eve is not a day off.
• Customer relations: adjusting working hours and customer service to the new regulation may require discussions with contractors and changes to contracts.

However, introducing an additional public holiday may also bring some positive changes. Potential benefits for entrepreneurs include:

• Increased employee motivation: by giving employees more time to rest and spend time with their families, entrepreneurs can help increase their job satisfaction and loyalty to the company.
• Improving the company’s image: the decision to adapt to new regulations can contribute to improving the company’s image as a responsible employer who cares about the well-being of its employees, and importantly, the organization’s impact on employees and the environment is in line with current ESG trends and requirements. Find out more: The most important ESG regulations – a guide for business

Year 2025 – working time and free Christmas Eve

The additional day off next year will also affect working hours. In 2025, there will be 250 working days, which gives 2,000 hours to work. There will be 13 days off, and 4 of them will fall on Saturday or Sunday. Let us recall that if a statutory day off falls on Saturday, then the employer gives the employees that day off on another working day in the given year.

It is also worth emphasizing that if the act establishing Christmas Eve as a day off from work comes into force, in 2025 there will be 249 working days, and the number of public holidays will increase by this one additional day (it will be 14 days in total).

The table below shows public holidays in 2025 (including Christmas Eve)

Check how to calculate working time, read our article: Working time in 2025: practical tips for employers

Free Christmas Eve 2025 – what’s next?

The introduction of Christmas Eve as a day off from work is undoubtedly a step towards improving the quality of life of employees, but also a big challenge for employers. Entrepreneurs should be prepared for these challenges in advance. Proper planning and adjustment to the new regulations will allow to minimize the negative effects of this change and take advantage of the opportunities related to it.

Entrepreneurs should primarily closely monitor further legislative work on the bill, so that they can prepare for the changes well in advance. It is also worth considering consulting experts who will help assess the potential effects of introducing the new regulation on a specific company. Stay up to date. Take advantage of our comprehensive services: HR and payroll outsourcing

HR and Payroll – find out how we can help

At Contract Administration, we know how important working time is and how to calculate and settle it correctly. We also know how important automatic working time settlement (RCP System) is these days in carrying out these activities.

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