Stabilization on the temporary labor market. 3 out of 4 Polish companies plan to employ casual workers
A perspective for retail, production and logistics. 2026 Edition”, containing an analysis of Casual Work Indicators – research that has been carried out continuously since 2023.
– Companies are increasingly using a hybrid HR management model. This is not surprising, especially in the context of the dynamic increase in employment costs, resulting primarily from increases in the minimum wage. At the beginning of 2023, the minimum national salary was PLN 3,490 gross, and currently it reaches PLN 4,806 gross, which means an increase of over 30%. These changes have a direct impact on the decisions made by company managers – comments on the report's conclusions Krzysztof Trębskipresident of Tikrow, Immediate Employment Agency.
Production with the highest demand in Q2
The latest edition of the Casual Work Index for the second quarter of the year shows a slight increase in companies' plans to employ temporary workers compared to the beginning of the year – by 1 percentage point. Today 70 percent companies declare such intention. This result is almost identical to the same period last year. This indicates high stability on the temporary labor market.
Stabilization is also visible in terms of individual industries. Manufacturing is still the sector where the demand for additional hands is the greatest. 77 percent manufacturing companies intend to employ temporary workers in the second quarter of the year. This is a decrease of 2 percentage points. compared to the first quarter and exactly the same result as in the second quarter of 2025.
An increase in interest in temporary workers is visible in retail and logistics. In trade 69 percent companies plan to employ casual workers (an increase of 5 percentage points), in logistics – 64 percent (increase by 3 percentage points). This is the result of a seasonal increase in consumer activity in the second quarter – the period covering Easter, May Day and the beginning of the holidays.
Seasonality is a staffing challenge for companies
The results of the Casual Work Index indicate that the seasonal increase in orders is the reason for the search for additional employees. This reason was indicated by 43 percent. companies. This is an increase of 1 percentage point. compared to the first quarter and as much as 6 pp. more than in the same period last year.
At the beginning of the second quarter, rising employment costs are the reason for additional employment for 37 percent. companies – this is by 5 pp. less than at the beginning of the year and exactly the same result as in 2025. The third most frequently cited reason is difficulties in recruiting blue-collar workers – indicated by 31%. representatives of companies participating in the survey (increase by 2 pp. compared to the first quarter, no change y/y)
– The second quarter, with the beginning of the spring season, is a significant staffing challenge for many industries. In retail, it is crucial to handle increased customer traffic and seasonal sales peaks while maintaining the availability of goods and efficient service. In production, the challenge remains to flexibly increase operational capacity in response to growing orders, without overloading permanent teams and increasing costs. In logistics, however, the most important thing is the rapid scaling of warehouse and transport processes with the growing number of orders and pressure on timely deliveries. – says Krzysztof Trębski.
Almost every fifth Pole plans to earn extra money
The beginning of 2026 was a record year in terms of interest in temporary work in Poland – every fourth respondent answered affirmatively when asked whether they intended to take up temporary work in the first months of the year. Forecasts for the second quarter bring more moderate results – 18%. Poles plan to work part-time.
The age group most willing to take up additional work are the youngest respondents aged 18-24. 40 percent of them intend to do so. Almost every third person (30%) aged 25-34 plans to earn extra money in the second quarter, and every fifth Pole (21%) aged 35-44 has the same plan. Among people 45+, this is a significantly smaller group – every tenth respondent.
A significant decline in interest in part-time work can be seen among pupils and students – 34% of them intend to do so in the second quarter. of them. This is a decrease of 33 percentage points. compared to the beginning of the year.
The full results of the Casual Work Index for the second quarter of the year can be found in the report “Temporary work market in Poland. Perspective for retail, production and logistics. 2026 edition”. You can download it at the link below: https://tikrow.com/raport_tikrow_2026.
