Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, as Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, is vigorously promoting a pilot program for reduced working hours. It turns out, however, that Poles are opposed to changes to the Labour Code. Even among voters of the Civic Coalition, there are more opponents than supporters of this solution.
On 1 January, the testing phase of the shortened working hours pilot began; it will run until the end of 2026. Companies and public institutions will test, for example, a four-day workweek, reduced daily hours, or longer leave. From the very beginning, the idea has stirred controversy. The shortened working hours pilot in 2026 is expected to cost nearly PLN 50 million, and the list of participating entities consists, mostly, of public offices.
What do Poles think?
In a survey conducted by United Surveys by IBRiS on behalf of Wirtualna Polska, Poles were asked about their attitude toward the idea of shortening the statutory workweek. The results leave no doubt. Opposition to shortening the statutory workweek was expressed by 61.5% of respondents, including 31.2% who are strongly opposed and 30.3% who are rather opposed.
Supporters of shorter working hours are, according to the study, clearly in the minority. Overall support for the idea was declared by 30.9% of respondents, including 10.8% who strongly support it and 20.1% who rather support it. The proportion of undecided respondents stands at 7.6%.
Interestingly, even among voters of the Civic Coalition, the idea of reducing working hours has more opponents than supporters.