What does a foreign worker risk by leaving without giving notice?
Thinking about changing jobs but have to work out a notice period? Feel it is too long and are thinking of just walking out? Before you decide, find out what the consequences could be — especially if you are a foreigner working in Poland.
Legal work and contracts: what to remember
All legal work involves signing a contract — whether it is an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a civil-law contract (umowa zlecenie). Both types set out the rights and obligations of the worker and the employer.
Notice periods under an employment contract:
- 2 weeks — employment of less than 6 months
- 1 month — at least 6 months of service
- 3 months — employment of at least 3 years
Notice periods under a civil-law contract
The Labour Code does not set specific periods, but most companies set them internally — most often 1 month.
Remember that the notice period starts at the beginning of the following week (if it is given in weeks) or at the beginning of the following month (if it is given in months). For example, if you hand in your notice on the 15th of the month, a one-month notice period only starts on the 1st of the next month.
This time benefits both the worker and the employer. The worker can hand over their duties, use up their leave and prepare to change jobs, while the employer has time to find a replacement.
What happens if you do not work out your notice?
1. A negative entry in your employment certificate
When employment ends, the worker receives an employment certificate (świadectwo pracy) stating the leave used, the length of service and the circumstances in which the contract ended.
If you abandoned the job, this will be noted in the document, which may put off future employers. The risk of someone walking out again is a big problem for companies, and such an entry can seriously limit your chances of a new job.
2. Losing the right to unemployment benefit
People who lose their jobs and have enough service can apply for unemployment benefit. Abandoning a job, however, automatically rules this out.
So if you do not find a new job straight away or your interviews do not work out, remember that you will be left without any financial support.
3. Compensation for the employer
If your sudden departure caused losses to the company — for example, it halted production or customer service or generated costs — the employer may claim compensation.
In addition, the worker loses the right to pay for unexcused days not worked.
Additional consequences for foreigners
For a foreigner, abandoning a job carries a much greater risk than for a Polish citizen.
To work legally, a person from abroad must have a valid work permit, a residence permit or another document confirming that their employment is legal.
What can happen after you abandon a job?
- Your work permit can be revoked
- You can lose your residence status
- You can be obliged to leave Poland
- You can be fined for breaching residence rules
- You can be banned from entering Poland and the Schengen area for 1–3 years
In practice, this means that someone who abandons a job may lose not only their current employment but also the chance to stay and build a career in Poland.
Is it worth the risk?
Remember that the relationship between worker and employer should be based on mutual respect. Just as nobody wants to be dismissed without warning, a company does not want to suddenly be left without a worker.
Think about whether walking out and exposing yourself to serious consequences is worth the risk. Sometimes it is better to part ways professionally — working out your notice, handing over your duties and keeping good relations.
