Shorter working hours. The Polish pilot project brings promising conclusions

The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy announced that a pilot program involving 78 employers is testing reduced working hours for nearly 5,000 people. In the first half of 2026, working hours were reduced by at least 10%, increasing to 20% in the second half. Employers are implementing various models, including a four-day workweek and additional days off, while maintaining salary levels. Challenges include scheduling and ensuring continuity of operations. The pilot will continue until December 2026, with reports to assess the impact of reduced hours. A budget of 50 million PLN is allocated for the program from 2025 to 2027, with a maximum of 1 million PLN support per project.