The Sejm changed the Labor Code. Revolution in counting the seniority. What are the benefits for employees?


On Friday, MPs voted an amendment to the Labor Code, which will radically change the situation of many people, but will also affect staff departments in companies.
See also: This is the biggest change in labor law for years. Revolution for millions of Poles
Thanks to her, the mandate contract, business activity and work abroad are to be included in the seniority. This is to be a revolution that will benefit up to two million working people. Today, if someone works for themselves or on an order, and then passes full -time, loses double: at the start and in case of termination of the contract. Now the law will go to the Senate.
What employment will be included in the seniority
From January 1, 2026, the seniority will include:
- conducting non -agricultural business activity,
- cooperation with a person conducting business activity,
- time of performance of mandate contracts, agency and provision of services,
- membership in production cooperatives and agricultural circles,
- documented earning work abroad (other than a full -time job),
- suspension period in connection with childcare (due to corrections in the Sejm).
The course of employment will be confirmed by a certificate issued by the Social Insurance Institution at the request submitted by PUE. However, ZUS will issue them only on the basis of information on work experience from its system, i.e. data collected from January 1, 1999.
Periods of employment that does not subject to ZUS notification and periods other than earning work abroad will be confirmed on the principles of general evidence rules. Completing them as a seniority will require the presentation of relevant documents.
According to the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, the periods before the entry into force of the Act will also include the seniority, provided that they were properly documented. To present documents to his current employer, the employee will have 24 months from the entry into force of the Act
INEyj in the life of the Act was divided into two dates – from January 1, 2026 for the public sector and from the first day of the month after six months from the announcement of the Act – for the private sector. For companies, this means the need to convert the entitlements of employees, which, however, will not be given back.
What will the change affect?
Additional years included in the seniority will affect, among others on:
- higher holiday leave,
- higher internship add -on,
- acquiring the right to a jubilee award or another higher level,
- access to more job offers where a specific seniority is required,
- longer termination of the employment contract,
- higher briefing in the event of termination of the employment contract.




