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10 min czytania 6 August 2025

Is it worth hiring temporary workers?

Staffing flexibility, quick response to seasonal needs, and cost savings are just some of the reasons why more and more companies are considering hiring temporary workers. This form of cooperation can bring many benefits, but it also comes with its own challenges. Why hire temporary workers?

worth hiring temporary workers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is temporary work?

Temporary work is a form of employment in which an employee performs duties for a user employer, but is formally employed by a temporary employment agency. The agency is responsible for signing a temporary employment contract or civil law contract with the employee, paying the salary, filing with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and other formalities.

Temporary employment is primarily used when a company needs staffing support for a specific period—for example, during the season, during a large project, or during the holiday season.

Temporary work opportunities are popular among both students and those seeking flexible employment options. Flexible employment allows employees to more easily adjust their schedules to other commitments, and allows employers to quickly respond to current staffing needs. Temporary work is also a popular type of employment for foreigners coming to Poland.

Temporary work can be provided in many industries—from manufacturing and logistics, through trade and warehousing, to customer service. For many, it also offers an opportunity to gain first-time professional experience or re-enter the job market after a break.

What is the temporary employment market like in Poland?

The temporary employment market in Poland is constantly developing and is an important segment for the national employment market. More and more companies are choosing the support of temporary employment agencies, which enable the quick and flexible hiring of employees for a specified period. This form of cooperation allows companies to adjust their staffing levels to seasonal fluctuations, sudden staffing needs, or changes in order structure.

The employment agency hires a temporary employee and directs them to the company – the so-called user employer – where the actual work is performed. The entire process is regulated by the Temporary Employment Act, which specifies, among other things, the maximum employment period, employee rights, and the rules for the employment of temporary workers.

A significant advantage is the rapid recruitment process, which, especially in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and trade, allows for the efficient filling of staffing shortages. For temporary workers, it offers an opportunity to gain experience, supplement their budget, or flexibly adapt their employment to other commitments.

Read also: What are the requirements for working in Poland?

worth hiring temporary workers

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How does a temporary employment agency work?

A temporary employment agency specializes in intermediating between employers and individuals seeking short-term, seasonal, or project-based employment. The agency’s primary goal is to hire employees and assign them to companies that have staffing needs. This solution is particularly common in cases of seasonal employment or sudden staffing shortages.

The cooperation process begins with establishing the terms and conditions applicable at a given company—including the location of the work, scope of duties, and required experience. The agency then selects suitable candidates and formally employs them. Although the work is performed by an external company (the user’s employer), the agency remains responsible for the legality and terms of employment.

The entire process is conducted in accordance with specific rules for the employment of temporary workers, which clearly regulate remuneration, working hours, leave, and health and safety. Importantly, a temporary worker’s work cannot last longer than 18 months within a consecutive 36-month period for the same employer.

Temporary employment allows companies to flexibly respond to market needs, and allows employees to gain experience, earn extra money, or combine work with study. It’s important to remember that the organizational and administrative responsibilities related to employment rest with the agency, which reduces the burden on employers and accelerates the entire recruitment process.

What are the services of an employment agency?

An employment agency is not just a place to find employment. It is a comprehensive partner for companies and candidates, offering a wide range of services tailored to the changing needs of the labor market. Employment agency services may vary depending on the nature of the company. Its main tasks include:

  • Recruitment and selection of candidates – searching for and selecting suitable individuals for positions according to the client’s requirements. This includes job postings, interviews, and competency assessments.
  • Temporary staffing – formal employment of individuals who perform work for the client-agency. This includes, among other things, seasonal employment or replacements.
  • Employee outsourcing – delegating employees to perform specific tasks or services, often outside the structures of the contracting company.
  • HR and payroll services – maintaining employee records, calculating salaries, reporting to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and settling leave and sick leave.
  • Personnel consulting – assistance with employment strategies, optimizing HR costs, and team development.
  • Legalization of foreigners’ work – preparing and processing documentation for non-Polish individuals, including declarations of employment and work permits.
  • Onboarding and induction training – introducing new temporary employees to their duties, occupational health and safety regulations, and the company’s organizational culture.
  • Rapid mass recruitment – ​​fulfilling larger orders for one-time or seasonal employment (e.g., in logistics, production, warehousing).

Read also: What are the obligations of an employment agency?

worth hiring temporary workers

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Employer User Obligations

Temporary work is a form of employment in which the employee is formally employed by a temporary employment agency but performs their duties on behalf of another company – the employer user. Although the employment agency employs the employee and pays the salary, the employer user also has specific obligations under labor law and the Act on the Employment of Temporary Workers.

What are the responsibilities of the hiring employer?

Ensuring safe and hygienic working conditions
The hiring employer is responsible for complying with occupational health and safety regulations, providing appropriate work tools, and ensuring a safe working environment.

Introductory occupational health and safety training
Before commencing temporary work as specified in the contract, the hiring employer is obligated to conduct on-the-job training.

Compliance with work and rest time regulations
The hiring employer is obligated to organize temporary work in accordance with regulations regarding working hours, breaks, days off, and overtime.

Ensuring access to social benefits
If the company operates social funds or other support programs, the hiring employer should provide benefits to temporary workers on the same terms as permanent employees (if internal regulations so provide).

Equal Treatment
A temporary employee cannot be discriminated against compared to employees employed directly by the employer-user. This applies to both remuneration and working conditions.

Defining the Scope of Duties and Work Location
The employer-user is obligated to clearly define the type of temporary work to be performed, the expectations of the employee, and the location where it will be performed.

Information about Available Positions
The employer-user should provide temporary employees with information about available positions, if any arise.

Supervision of Work Performance
Although the employment agency formally employs the employee, the employer-user is responsible for ongoing supervision of the work performed.

Is it worth hiring temporary workers? Advantages of hiring temporary workers

Employment flexibility

The ability to adjust the number of employees to seasonal peaks in demand, special projects, or vacation periods. Employers can increase or decrease the number of employees depending on current needs.

Fast recruitment

A temporary employment agency handles the entire recruitment process – from candidate selection to formalities. This saves the company time and HR resources.

Reducing Employment Costs

Employers do not incur costs related to recruitment, HR management, or benefit payments – these are handled by the agency. This represents a significant savings, especially with short-term contracts.

Access to a Large Candidate Database

Employment agencies have a broad base of employees ready to start work immediately. This is especially important in industries where quick filling of positions is crucial.

Reduced HR Risk

By hiring temporary workers, a company can first “test” the individual in practice and only then decide on a potential permanent position.

Efficient Administrative Processing

All administrative responsibilities (contracts, contributions, and payments) are handled by the temporary employment agency. The employer-user focuses solely on organizing the work on-site.

Compliance with regulations

Employment through a temporary employment agency is conducted in accordance with the law and clearly defined rules, providing the company with a sense of legal certainty.

Working with a Temporary Employment Agency – Is It Worth It?

Working with a temporary employment agency is an effective way for many companies to manage their workforce flexibly. In situations such as seasonal production increases, sudden staffing shortages, or short-term projects, the agency can quickly provide the right employees without the need for lengthy recruitment processes. The temporary employment agency hires the employee and assigns them to work for the so-called user employer, who receives real HR support without the obligation of formal employment.

This solution offers many benefits. Primarily, it saves time and money, as all administrative, HR, and payroll processes are handled by the agency. For the company, this means a reduced burden on the HR department, lower recruitment costs, and faster employee onboarding. Working with an agency also means greater flexibility – as needed, the number of employees can be easily increased or decreased, which is especially important in industries with fluctuating demand, such as logistics, manufacturing, or trade.

Not every company will benefit from this model equally. For positions requiring a long onboarding period, high levels of competence, or significant commitment, direct employment may be more cost-effective. However, for many companies, temporary employment is a convenient and cost-effective form of collaboration that allows them to quickly respond to market needs without unnecessary risk and formalities.

See also: Legal work in Poland through an agency – why is it worth it?

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