Companies Cut Jobs: Regions with Biggest Layoffs

9 May 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Report reveals company layoffs Poland concentrated in Mazovia and Lesser Poland, hitting manufacturing and IT. Learn why expats should care.

Companies Cut Jobs: The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy reports a high number of announcements of company layoffs Poland in early 2026. Consequently, employers from industry and services registered nearly 15,000 planned redundancies with local labour offices.

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Where cuts concentrate and why

Data show a clear regional pattern. Moreover, Mazovia leads with 4,500 planned job losses. In addition, Lesser Poland accounts for 2,800 cases, while Lower Silesia reports 2,100. Therefore, Greater Poland lists 1,500 planned layoffs, mainly in furniture and automotive firms. Experts note that foreign-owned companies adapt headcount to conditions in Western markets.

Sectoral picture and new trends

The hardest hit sector remains manufacturing. Consequently, nearly 40 percent of announced cuts come from processing industries. Moreover, autoparts, household appliances, and clothing makers face big reductions. Wholesale and retail plan about 2,500 layoffs. In addition, the IT and modern business services sector reported 1,800 planned reductions. Therefore, companies cite cost optimisation and automation as main causes.

What the numbers actually mean

Importantly, announcements do not equal final dismissals. However, the ministry indicates that so far about 60 percent of announced posts left the labour market. Consequently, unions and employers sometimes negotiate to reduce the scale. Moreover, firms may delay or cancel cuts when orders recover. Therefore, follow-up figures will matter more than initial notices.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you face redundancy, register at your local Powiatowy Urząd Pracy (district labour office) to claim unemployment support. Moreover, keep your PESEL number and ZUS records updated, because ZUS handles pensions and social contributions. In addition, the NFZ covers health insurance, but you must keep your registration active. Therefore, ask about severance pay, notice periods, and any company re-training offers. Finally, consider joining English-language job groups and recruitment agencies early.

Why expats should pay attention

First, job markets shift quickly in Poland. Consequently, regions that relied on manufacturing may see longer recovery. Moreover, many affected firms employ expatriates. Therefore, expats should check visa conditions when employers change. In addition, severance and benefits depend on contract type and length. However, collective redundancy rules require employers to inform labour offices and consult employee representatives. As a result, affected workers sometimes gain time for transition or re-skilling offers.

Finally, the situation matters beyond personal job security. Moreover, local economies feel the impact. Therefore, expect slower consumer demand in the hardest-hit regions. In addition, you may find new opportunities in growing hubs or remote roles. Consequently, plan ahead and use local services for career counselling.

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