flash news - Labour and employment law

Between 17 and 20 August 2026, the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) published the first eight individual rulings of the Chief Labour Inspector (GIP) under the act endowing PIP with new enforcement powers regarding civil-law contracts. The rulings assess whether the cooperation models that were set out in applications actually constitute relationships of employment.

According to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, between 8 July 2026 – the date on which the new powers of the National Labour Inspectorate came into force – and 6 August 2026, a total of 585 complaints were recorded for the incorrect use of civil-law contracts.

On Tuesday, 21 July 2026, the Constitutional Tribunal received a request from the President of the Republic of Poland for a review of the constitutionality of an amendment to the National Labour Inspectorate Act. It should be noted that, although the President signed the amendment in April, he simultaneously announced that he would be referring certain new provisions to the Constitutional Tribunal as part of a follow-up audit.

On 8 July 2026, new regulations come into force amending the manner in which the National Labour Inspectorate monitors civil law contracts. Key aspects of the reform are as follows:

The number of collective disputes in Poland is steadily declining. The latest report from the National Labour Inspectorate shows that 220 collective disputes were reported in 2025. This is 9.5 per cent fewer than the previous year and nearly a third fewer than two years ago.

A labour inspector can only order the payment of remuneration that is simultaneously due, payable, and undisputed – according to a judgment of the Provincial Administrative Court in Kielce of 6 May 2026 (II SA/Ke 195/26).