Annual Leave for Temporary Workers in Poland – How Many Days and How to Claim
Annual Leave for Temporary Workers — How Many Days Are You Entitled To?
As a temporary worker in Poland, you have the right to paid annual leave — just like any other employee. Many workers are unaware of this, especially those working under a temporary employment contract through a staffing agency. This guide explains your rights and how annual leave works in temporary employment.
Legal Basis — The Act on Temporary Workers
Annual leave for temporary workers is primarily governed by the Act of 9 July 2003 on the Employment of Temporary Workers and the Polish Labour Code. Under a temporary employment contract, annual leave accrues proportionally to the length of each work assignment.
Key rule: For every month of temporary employment, you are entitled to 2 days of annual leave. Work 12 months and you have 24 days of leave.
How Is Annual Leave Calculated?
- For each full month of temporary work — 2 days of annual leave
- Calculated proportionally for periods shorter than one month
- Any fraction of a day is rounded up to a full day
Example: You have worked 3 months through a staffing agency. You are entitled to 3 × 2 = 6 days of annual leave.
Leave Under a Mandate Contract (Umowa Zlecenie)
If you work under a mandate contract (umowa zlecenie) rather than a temporary employment contract, the situation is different:
- A mandate contract does not automatically entitle you to paid annual leave
- You may negotiate days off with the employer
- Instead of leave, you may receive a cash equivalent — provided this is written into the contract
Who Pays Holiday Pay — the Agency or the Client Company?
In temporary employment, leave is paid by the staffing agency — the entity that signed your contract. The client company (the business where you are placed) does not pay holiday pay directly.
Important: leave should ideally be taken during the assignment period. If you cannot use it before the assignment ends, the agency is legally required to pay you a cash equivalent for unused leave at the end of the assignment.
How to Calculate Leave Equivalent Pay
- Calculate your average daily rate (monthly gross salary ÷ 21)
- Multiply by the number of unused leave days
Example: You earn 4,500 PLN gross per month and have 4 unused leave days. Equivalent pay: (4,500 ÷ 21) × 4 = 857 PLN gross.
How to Request Annual Leave
- Contact your coordinator at the staffing agency
- Give advance notice of your preferred dates (usually 2 weeks)
- Wait for written confirmation from the agency
- The client company must be informed of your absence
Remember: you can only take leave with the agency's approval — unauthorised absence may be treated as an unexcused absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does annual leave expire when my assignment ends?
No. If you have unused leave, the agency must pay you the cash equivalent.
Can I transfer leave from one agency to another?
No — leave is calculated separately for each assignment. When one assignment ends, the agency settles the leave balance with you directly.
Am I entitled to leave in my first month?
Yes — for a partial month, leave accrues proportionally (rounded up to a full day).
Summary
- 2 days of leave per month of temporary work (employment contract)
- Leave is paid by the staffing agency, not the client company
- Unused leave = cash equivalent paid at the end of the assignment
- Mandate contract: leave is not mandatory, but can be negotiated
Questions about annual leave or other workers' rights in Poland? Contact us — the Nexflow team is happy to help.