Employment of Young Workers under the Polish Labour Code

Katarzyna Majchrzak

doi:10.21852/sem.1898

Published: 2026-09-12

Employment of Young Workers under the Polish Labour Code

Katarzyna Majchrzak

Seminare

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.1898

Abstract

The employment of young workers constitutes an important area of labour law in which the legislature seeks to reconcile two objectives: enabling young persons to acquire vocational qualifications while ensuring enhanced protection arising from their age, physical and psychological immaturity, and compulsory education obligations. This article analyses selected provisions governing the employment of young workers under Part Nine of the Polish Labour Code, with particular emphasis on the conditions for lawful employment, vocational training, light work, health protection, working time, and annual leave. The analysis shows that Polish labour law establishes a distinct protective framework for young workers while enabling them to acquire vocational qualifications and practical work experience. The applicable regulations seek to balance young persons’ entry into the labour market with the protection of their health, education, safety, and development. Overall, young workers are afforded substantially greater statutory protection than adult employees.

Keywords:

young worker, labour law, vocational training, working time, Polish Labour Code

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Majchrzak, K. (2026). Employment of Young Workers under the Polish Labour Code. Seminare, (Online First). https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.1898

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