The Polish government has declared that employees will receive an additional day off in 2026, stemming from the labor code, which mandates that when a statutory holiday falls on a Saturday, employers are required to provide another day off. This situation will occur twice in 2026, specifically on August 15th for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Polish Armed Forces Day, and again on December 26th for the second day of Christmas. It is important to note that this additional day off applies only to employees under contract, excluding self-employed individuals and those under civil law contracts.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that, for government administration, a uniform date will be designated to take the additional day off, aiming for consistency within the civil service. The decision reflects a response to the interests of workers, addressing the requirement for compensated time off while simultaneously recognizing the needs of the labor market. This initiative is expected to have implications for work-life balance and employee satisfaction, particularly during peak holiday seasons.

By standardizing this additional day off for public employees, the government is also setting a precedent that could influence private sectors to follow suit. Advocates for workers' rights view this decision as a positive step towards better recognition of employee needs; however, there is concern about the exclusion of self-employed individuals, who may not benefit from these labor code protections. As the implementation approaches, further discussions may emerge regarding labor reforms necessary to address the gaps for all types of workers.