Violations of rights rarely look like outright fraud. More often, they are "little things": overtime not counted, salary delayed by two weeks, no contract given "because we are still processing it". Each of these costs money — and each has a concrete solution.
Most common violations
- No written contract. The contract must be signed before before starting work. "Work for a week, then we'll register you" is already a violation.
- Overtime is not paid. For working overtime, you are entitled to +50% on weekdays and +100% on Sundays and holidays, with a separate allowance for night shifts.
- Not registered with ZUS. You can check this yourself — via ZUS PUE or the mObywatel app.
- Salary delays. Payment is monthly, by the 10th day of the following month.
- Confiscated passport. No one has the right to withhold your documents. This is not "registration," it is a leverage tactic.
Action plan
- Document everything. Keep your own record of hours, save correspondence, contracts, receipts, and photos of work schedules. Without evidence, a complaint is weak.
- Written demand to the employer. Often this is enough: many violations rely on the person not knowing their rights.
- Complaint to PIP (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy) — this is the National Labour Inspectorate, which handles these exact cases.
- Police (112 / 997) — if money is being extorted from you, or if you are threatened or your documents are withheld.
Important: contacting PIP does not require perfect Polish — you can come with an interpreter or submit a written complaint. Your legal status will not be affected.
The best protection is at the start
Most problems never arise if you check three things at the start: whether there is a written contract, who the employer actually is, and whether you are asked for money. Honest people do not charge for employment — this is the main rule that saves you from most schemes.
