When a contract with a temporary employment agency ends, many workers from Ukraine, Russia, or other non-EU countries do not know what rights they have. In Poland, contract termination is governed by the Labour Code and the Temporary Employment Act. This guide explains what to expect when your contract ends.
Types of Contract Termination
1. Expiry of Fixed-Term Contract
Most temporary agency contracts are fixed-term — for example, 3 months or for the duration of a project. When the specified period ends, the contract expires automatically without notice required from either side.
What you should receive:
- Work certificate (swiadectwo pracy) — a mandatory document the employer must issue within 7 days of the end of employment.
- Holiday pay compensation — if you have unused vacation days, you are entitled to a cash payment in lieu.
- Final salary — paid on the schedule set in your contract (usually by the 10th of the following month).
2. Notice from the Employer
An employer may terminate a contract during its term. The following notice periods apply:
- 3 working days — for contracts lasting up to 2 weeks
- 1 week — for contracts lasting more than 2 weeks, up to 6 months
- 2 weeks — for contracts lasting more than 6 months (fixed-term)
Important: For fixed-term contracts, the employer does not have to give a reason for dismissal. For open-ended contracts, they must.
3. Notice from the Employee
You have the right to terminate the contract yourself, observing the same notice periods. Always do this in writing, signed and dated. Keep a copy or proof of delivery.
4. Immediate Termination for Employer Fault
You can terminate the contract without notice if the employer seriously breaches your employment rights: non-payment or delayed wages, dangerous working conditions, or workplace mobbing and discrimination. In this case, you are entitled to compensation equal to your salary for the notice period.
Am I Entitled to Severance Pay?
Severance pay is due when you are dismissed for reasons unrelated to the employee (e.g. job cuts, restructuring):
- 1 month salary — less than 2 years with the employer
- 2 months salary — 2 to 8 years with the employer
- 3 months salary — more than 8 years with the employer
In temporary agencies, your seniority is calculated with the agency, not the client company. For short contracts, severance is rare but worth knowing about.
End-of-Contract Document Checklist
- ✅ Work certificate (swiadectwo pracy) — within 7 days
- ✅ Earnings statement — for unemployment registration
- ✅ PIT-11 tax form — by end of February for the previous year
- ✅ Overtime and bonus settlement
- ✅ ZUS de-registration confirmation (ZWUA form)
What to Do If Your Employer Breaks the Rules
If the agency or client company does not comply with the law, you can: file a complaint with the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) — free of charge, can be anonymous; or take your case to the Labour Court (Sad Pracy) — employment cases are exempt from court fees.
After the Contract — What is Next?
- New contract with the same agency — negotiate new terms
- Register with the Job Centre (Urzad Pracy) — check if you qualify for unemployment benefit (minimum 365 days of contributions in the past 18 months)
- Update your work permit — if changing employer, verify your permit remains valid
Summary
The end of a temporary employment contract does not have to be stressful. Your rights as a worker in Poland are the same as those of Polish citizens, regardless of your nationality. Collect all your documents, check your holiday balance, and do not hesitate to report violations to the Labour Inspectorate.