Stop Work in Heat Without Your Boss’s OK

9 August 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Poland’s labour inspectorate says employees may stop work in heat without waiting for permission. Learn what triggers this right and what expats must know.

Poland’s labour inspectorate has clarified that employees may stop work in heat without waiting for permission. The statement says you can stop work in heat if conditions pose a direct threat to health or life.

Table of Contents

How the rule works in practice

The authority refers to Article 210 of the Labour Code. Consequently, the law gives the worker the first assessment role. Moreover, the employee must inform their supervisor immediately after they stop. However, the worker does not need prior approval to leave the workstation. In addition, the employer must still pay full wages for the time lost. Therefore, you keep your salary as if you had worked normally.

What employers must provide and when

Polish rules do not set a single maximum summer temperature. Instead, the law looks for a real and immediate danger. Consequently, employers must offer drinks when indoor temperatures exceed 28°C. Moreover, they must provide drinks when outdoor work heats above 25°C. Also, employers may shorten work time or add breaks during peak heat. In that case, the worker still receives full pay. Therefore, employers face a clear duty to protect staff during heat waves.

Who is protected and who is not

The Labour Code protections apply only to employees on employment contracts. In contrast, people on civil contracts or self-employed workers lack the same guarantee. Consequently, these workers must rely on contract terms and personal risk assessment. Moreover, the inspectorate stresses special risk groups. For example, people with heart or circulation diseases may face danger sooner. Therefore, their threshold to stop work may be lower than for a healthy young person.

Controls, hotlines and enforcement

The Ministry of Family and Labour asked the State Labour Inspectorate to step up inspections. Consequently, inspectors will focus on outdoor jobs like construction and road work. Moreover, the inspectorate launched a temporary hotline at 22 626 43 67. Also, the service operates Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 15:00. Therefore, workers and employers can get on-the-spot advice about specific situations.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you work in Poland, note that only employees under the Labour Code have the automatic right to stop work and still get paid. For expats keep documents like your PESEL (national ID number) or passport nearby when dealing with employers or inspectors. Also register for health care via NFZ (National Health Fund) and social insurance via ZUS if your contract requires it. If you have a civil contract, you may need to renegotiate terms or add safety clauses. Finally, save the PIP hotline number for heat emergencies and take photos of unsafe conditions as evidence.

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