Amendments to the Polish Labour Code which alter the rules regarding fixed-term contracts have now been endorsed by parliament.
The amendments limit the length of time an employee may be engaged on a fixed-term contract to 33 months. This 33-month rule will not apply in all cases, however — for example it will not apply in the case of seasonal workers or when a fixed-term worker is required to replace another employee. The amendments also ensure that the trial period cannot exceed three months
Under the amendments, fixed-term contracts can be renewed up to three times. If it is renewed a fourth time, it will become a contract for an indefinite duration.
In addition, the notice periods that apply to fixed-term contracts will be brought in line with those that apply to permanent contracts; therefore the statutory notice period both for permanent and fixed-term employees will be two weeks for up to six months’ service, rising to one month for between six months and three years’ service, and three months after three years’ service.