What are the things you need to know about working in Poland?
1. Finding a job
2. Taxation
3. General Employment Rules
4. Polish SSS
5. Breaks
6. Overtime
7. Currency
When conducting an overseas job search in the Philippines, you may stumble upon job openings in Poland. For those looking to working in Poland, it’s best to know some detailed information about Poland and what it’s like to work there. Here’s everything you need to know about working in Poland.
Finding a Job
If you plan on working in Poland, finding a job using an online overseas job search in the Philippines, is as simple as 1, 2, 3. You may be surprised to find a handful of career opportunities in Poland. But if the internet is not your favored platform for job searches, you may visit Polish employment agencies or the Polish Labor Office in the Philippines to inquire about jobs in Poland.
You may be surprised to find dozens of job opportunities in Poland from companies such as IBM, AirHelp, Citi, Credit Suisse, Volvo, and Avon. When you apply for a job in Poland, usually the first round of the job selection process is holding an interview over the phone or via Skype. In some cases, the final interview may be held in Poland, meaning you have to travel overseas for the company you applied to undergo the final step of application.
Taxation
Before you migrate to Poland, here are a few things you need to know about the taxation in Poland. All residents and citizens are required to pay for income taxes. Overseas workers who have lived in Poland for over 183 days within the tax year will be taxed based on their global income. You may be exempted from income taxes if you work as a representative for a foreign country.
General Employment Rules
The Polish law states that an employee must accomplish at least 40 hours of duty within 5 working days. This applies for full-time employees in almost every workplace and company in Poland. Of course, there are also paid leaves and obligatory days off from work. These may vary depending on the company you work for, but typically, obligatory days off amount to a total of 13 days.
Some companies are open to allowing their employees to work under flexible hours. Many employers in Poland offer flexible working hours. That means you can start work anytime during the day for a different amount of time spent at work. As long as you finish working for 40 hours in 5 days. Some companies allow employees to work from Monday to Thursday, spending 10 hours a day and working for 5 days, allowing them to start the weekend early. Of course, all of this must be discussed with the boss or team leader.
Polish SSS
Every working Polish citizen is indebted to contribute to the Polish social security system. The Polish social security system encompasses disability, sickness, age, and accident insurance. Every contributor, despite country of origin, may qualify to receive the benefits of Polish nationals.
In cases of illnesses, 80% of your average income will be received by the employee for the first 33 days of their sick leave. This will be provided for by the individual’s employer. After the 33 days, the Polish social security system will provide the employee with a sickness allowance at his/her average income for 80% for each day of his/her absence.
Breaks
As standard, Polish companies and workplaces have an obligatory 15-minute paid break every day. It’s good to note that this only applies if your work involves working for more than 6 hours a day. Those who works less than 6 hours a day don’t have a 15 minute paid break during working hours.
Polish labor law also allows workers to have a 60-minute break. But this 60-minute break is unpaid and will not be counted as working hours. That means that taking a 60-minute break in the office will require you to spend another hour to accomplish your assigned working hours.
Overtime
Polish companies pay for workers who work overtime. If you are asked by your employer to work for more hours than what your contract states, you should be paid for the extra hours you have worked for. The details about your overtime pay will be discussed by your employer and will be stated in your contract. It is illegal to ask a pregnant employee to work overtime.
Currency
In Poland, their currency is called z?oty. It is abbreviated as zl or PLN. They do not use Euro’s despite being a member of the European Union. Although some places such as hotels and certain restaurants may accept Euro’s. But to prepare yourself, convert your money into z?oty, not Euros.
Key Takeaway
These are the basics and a few important things you need to know about working in Poland. It’s a beautiful country with dozens of opportunities. It’s always best to stay updated and informed about the things you need to know in order to adapt with ease. These tips can help you be prepared and avoid being surprised by things you should’ve known before entering and working in Poland.