BackDoes the employment agency charge fees from employees?
Many people wonder whether employment agencies charge employees fees for finding employment. This is an important question, especially for those seeking employment through an agency for the first time. Does an employment agency charge employees fees?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What does an employment agency do?
- Does an employment agency charge fees from employees?
- What can an employment agency charge fees for?
- What does the law say about fees charged by employment agencies?
What does an employment agency do?
An employment agency acts as an intermediary between employers and job seekers. Its primary role is to match the right employee to the company’s needs and ensure legal and safe employment. Employment agencies employ people in various industries – from manufacturing and logistics to services and administration.
An employment agency operates under the law and is registered with the National Register of Employment Agencies (KRAZ). This ensures candidates are confident they are dealing with a legal employment agency and that the employment is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations.
In practice, the agency conducts recruitment, verifies candidates’ qualifications, and presents their offers to companies seeking new employees. In some cases, the employee is employed by the agency and performs their duties at the client’s company – this is known as temporary work.
Do employment agencies charge fees from employees?
Many myths surround employment agencies, especially regarding agency fees. In reality, a legal employment agency is prohibited from charging candidates any fees for finding employment. All employment agencies operating in Poland must comply with the regulations set forth in the Act on Employment Promotion and Labor Market Institutions. However, an employment agency may charge other fees unrelated to finding employment.
Read also: Working conditions in Poland for foreigners – what are they like?
Read also: Pay transparency – on what terms and from when?
What can an employment agency charge fees for?
Although an employment agency cannot charge money for finding employment itself, there are situations in which certain fees for additional services are permissible.
Such fees, however, are unrelated to the recruitment process – they pertain to additional benefits intended to facilitate the employment agency employee’s employment or daily functioning.
The most common include:
- accommodation near the workplace,
- transportation to or from the workplace,
- translation of documents required for employment,
- assistance in legalizing the stay of foreigners,
- additional training (e.g., occupational health and safety or language courses).
In each case, these costs should be clearly defined in the contract, and the employment agency employee must consent to their deduction. It is important to remember that charging fees without the employee’s prior consent or without a clear explanation of their purpose is illegal.
Some employment agencies offer these additional services on a voluntary basis. For example, an employee can decide whether to use transportation arranged by the agency.
What does the law say about employment agency fees?
The rules governing whether an employment agency charges fees from employees are clearly defined in Polish law. Their purpose is to protect candidates from unfair practices and ensure transparency in the operations of employment intermediaries.
The operating principles of temporary employment agencies and other employment agencies operating in Poland are regulated by the Act of April 20, 2004, on Employment Promotion and Labor Market Institutions. According to this Act, an employment agency operates legally only if it is registered in the National Register of Employment Agencies (KRAZ). This number confirms that the company meets formal requirements and provides employment services in accordance with applicable regulations.
By law, a legal employment agency cannot charge candidates any fees for finding employment – regardless of whether the employment is temporary or permanent.
However, the Act allows for employment agencies to charge fees in strictly defined cases. This only applies to costs actually incurred by the agency on behalf of the employee – for example, fees for additional services such as document translation, transportation, or accommodation. Such payments must be documented and approved in writing by the employment agency employee.
It is important that the employment agency does not collect commission from the employee’s salary – their salary must be paid in full, in accordance with the contract. The employment agency’s remuneration comes solely from the employer who uses its services.
Check also: Foreigners in Poland – what industries do they work in?
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