Salary vs. stability. What matters more?

Employment contract vs. Civil law contract. What do Poles choose?

According to a study commissioned by Pracodawcy RP (eng. Employers of Poland), when given the option between a stable employment contract and a civil law contract with a higher salary, over half of Polish workers (55%) lean toward the latter.

It’s a significant shift from the traditional mindset where job security reigned supreme.

With inflation rising and expenses piling up, getting a higher salary is slowly becoming a top priority. But does this mean the era of employment contracts is over? Not quite – employees seem to be simply rethinking what financial security actually entails nowadays.

However, job stability isn’t losing its appeal entirely – 76% of respondents still see an indefinite employment contract as the gold standard. Employees in Poland might simply be weighing the trade-offs between financial gains and long-term certainty.

Read on: How do students in Poland search for their first job?

What matters most at work?

But what begs a question: what do employees value most in a workplace? According to the study, the top priorities for Polish workers include:

• Salary – 70% of respondents put this at the top of their list.
• Workplace atmosphere – 61% say a good vibe at work is crucial.
• Job security – 42% still value a steady job.
• Work-life balance – 32% emphasize the importance of maintaining harmony between personal and professional life.
• Flexible hours – surprisingly, only 24% rank this as a key factor.

It appears that Poles want to earn well, work in a friendly environment, and have job security – flexibility, though nice to have, isn’t the top concern.

Are workers in Poland optimistic about their job prospects?

Let’s just put it like this – optimism about finding a new, better-paying job isn’t at an all-time high in Poland.

As many as 38% of respondents believe their chances of finding a better job within the next six months are low. 24% rate them as moderate, and only 10% are hopeful about their prospects.

There is a reason Poles are considered the “glass half-empty” kind of folk, after all.

But is this pessimism or realism? It’s hard to say. However, one thing is certain – workers in Poland are becoming more aware of their worth in the job market and are negotiating employment terms with greater confidence.

Read on: Trading pasta for pierogi: Paola’s journey with PwC and Poland

What insights should employees take from this?

For employers, this seems to be a clear signal. If you want to attract candidates, it’s worth keeping a few key takeaways in mind:

1. Salary matters – offering competitive wages is crucial.
2. A good work atmosphere – this is not just a perk but a real bargaining tool.
3. Job security – while higher earnings tempt many employees, permanent contracts still have strong appeal.
4. Work-life balance – investing in flexible solutions is a good idea, even if it’s not currently a top priority.

Sources:

PracodawcyRP.pl, “Prezentacja wyników badania Pracodawców RP „Preferencje społeczeństwa wobec formy zatrudnienia”

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