Remote work in Poland - statistics & facts
Remote work, also known as telecommuting or teleworking, is a type of flexible working arrangement that allows the employee to work outside of a central place of their work. As a result, the employee does not need to commute or travel to their work location. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic played an essential role in introducing of the home office in Poland during the first months of 2020. In fact, the share of people working from home reached a record high of nine percent that year.
Despite the challenges, the future of work in Poland appears to be moving towards a hybrid model. Almost half of Polish respondents prefer a work arrangement that combines both remote and in-office work. This preference suggests that while remote work poses certain difficulties, its benefits are significant enough to warrant continued integration into work practices. However, organizations must address the negative impacts of remote work, particularly in maintaining team cohesion and employee engagement.
Transition to remote working
Polish companies have made significant strides in adapting to remote work. Over half of the organizations surveyed had already implemented remote connectivity solutions before the pandemic began. By 2023, nearly half of the companies had even started hosting informal virtual events to maintain team cohesion. Mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger have become essential tools for business communication in this new environment. Despite these advancements, the number of Poles regularly working from home decreased to about nine percent of all employed persons in 2023, suggesting a gradual return to traditional work settings.Perceptions of remote work and employee expectations
Employers in Poland have identified several benefits of remote work, including the ability to employ older individuals and those with disabilities. This inclusive approach aligns with changing workforce demographics and societal needs. Meanwhile, employees have their own set of expectations. A significant portion of workers anticipate salary increases and bonuses, with some even expressing interest in a four-day workweek. These expectations reflect an evolving work culture that values both flexibility and compensation. Nevertheless, the transition to remote work was proving to be a difficult challenge for workers' mental health. Partial isolation and the stress associated with it began to be an increasingly common problem. Accordingly, more than half of the organizations offered mental health counseling to their employees.Despite the challenges, the future of work in Poland appears to be moving towards a hybrid model. Almost half of Polish respondents prefer a work arrangement that combines both remote and in-office work. This preference suggests that while remote work poses certain difficulties, its benefits are significant enough to warrant continued integration into work practices. However, organizations must address the negative impacts of remote work, particularly in maintaining team cohesion and employee engagement.
