From now on, the internship will include not only the years worked full-time, but also, among others: periods of performing mandate contracts, running a business or cooperating with a person running a company.
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Karol Nawrocki decided. What does the amendment to the Labor Code change?
So far, seniority was counted only on the basis of employment contracts. After the changes, the following will also be included:
- driving periods non-agricultural economic activity,
- time suspension of activities for child care,
- periods cooperation with a person running a business,
- mandate contractsservice and agency contracts,
- work as collaborating person,
- membership in agricultural production cooperative or cooperative of agricultural circles,
- documented paid work abroad (other than employment under an employment contract),
- periods service in the Marshal's Guard and Customs and Tax Service.
How will the internship be confirmed?
New employment periods are to be confirmed mainly certificates from ZUS. In the case of activities not reported to ZUS (e.g. some forms of work abroad), it will be necessary to present them supporting documents.
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The amendment works back — it will also be possible to add periods before the regulations came into force, but they must be added documented within 24 months since the entry into force of the Act.
Work experience is crucial when:
- calculating vacation days,
- internship allowances,
- jubilee awards,
- briefings,
- applying for positions requiring experience.
The Chancellery of the President emphasizes that the new regulations will eliminate “inequality in the treatment of employees” resulting from the type of previous professional activity.
When will the regulations come into force?
The amendment enters into force two-stage: :
- Public sector: January 1, 2026
- Private sector: the first day of the month after the expiration 6 months from the announcement of the act.
People who have worked on commissions for years, ran their own business or worked abroad outside their full-time job, they will have the opportunity to add this time to their official length of service. For many this will mean more employee rights and faster access to benefits.
