Many people working in Poland hear about the praca.gov.pl notification only when something goes wrong: an inspection at the plant, a question at an office, or a dispute about pay. In practice it is one of the basic documents proving that your work is legal.
Below we explain what the notification is, who submits it and what to check with your employer before your first shift.
What the notification of entrusting work is
It is an electronic notification that the employer sends to the district labour office through the government portal praca.gov.pl. It states who has been employed, in which position, at what rate and for how many hours.
A Ukrainian citizen under temporary protection may work in Poland without a separate work permit. This notification takes the place of the permit and shows the authorities that the work is performed legally.
Who submits it and by when
The duty rests with the employer, not with the employee. The employer sends the notification within 7 days from the day work begins. The employee submits nothing and pays nothing for it.
If you are hired through an agency, the agency sends the notification, because the agency is your legal employer. The plant where you work every day is called the user undertaking and is responsible for other matters, such as safety at the workstation.
What to check with your employer
- whether the notification has been sent, and ask for confirmation,
- whether the contract matches what was reported in the notification,
- whether the position and the place of work are recorded correctly,
- whether the rate in the contract is the one agreed verbally,
- whether the number of working hours is stated,
- whether your personal data and PESEL number are correct.
Why the data has to match
A mismatch between the contract and the notification creates a problem for the employee first. During an inspection it may turn out that you perform different work than the documents state, or that you receive a different rate.
For that reason, avoid relying on verbal arrangements. Everything concerning the position, the rate, the hours and the place of work should be written the same way in both documents.
What to do if the employer has not submitted it
Start by asking directly, either the employer or your coordinator. In many cases it is a simple delay in paperwork that is corrected quickly.
If you get no answer, or the data does not match reality, you can contact the National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy). The inspectorate checks working conditions and the legality of employment. A report can also be submitted anonymously.
Documents worth keeping
- a copy of your contract in Polish,
- confirmation of the notification of entrusting work,
- confirmation of registration with ZUS,
- payslips for every month,
- proof of salary transfers to your bank account.
You will need these when applying for a residence card, when claiming a benefit, and in any dispute with an employer.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules may change, so check the current state of the law at gov.pl.
Questions about your documents?
Contact us or browse the current HR WORK offers. We will explain which documents you need before starting work.
