Glossary of labour law and PIP inspection terms
We explain terms that appear in PIP letters, in our guides and in legislation. For each one we give the legal basis.
National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy, PIP)
The authority that supervises and inspects compliance with labour law, in particular health and safety (BHP) rules and the rules on the employment relationship, remuneration, working time and leave. It also inspects the legality of employment. Legal basis: Article 10(1) of the Act of 13 April 2007 on the National Labour Inspectorate.
Chief Labour Inspectorate (Główny Inspektorat Pracy, GIP)
The central unit of the PIP in Warsaw. The Chief Labour Inspector directs the activities of the District Labour Inspectorates and hears appeals against their decisions (Article 18(1) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). Since 8 July 2026, the Chief Labour Inspector also issues individual interpretations on the nature of contracts. GIP contact details.
District Labour Inspectorate (okręgowy inspektorat pracy, OIP)
A regional unit of the PIP. There are 16 of them, each covering one voivodeship (province) (Order No. 16 of the Marshal of the Sejm, M.P. 2007 item 1006). According to the PIP, a complaint about an employer is sent to the OIP or branch competent for the employer's registered office. List of inspectorates.
Branch of a District Labour Inspectorate (oddział okręgowego inspektoratu pracy)
An OIP office in a city other than the seat of the inspectorate. Lists of branches are published on OIP websites. The PIP does not publish the areas covered by individual branches.
District Labour Inspector (okręgowy inspektor pracy)
Heads a District Labour Inspectorate. Hears appeals against decisions of labour inspectors (Article 34(5) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate) and, since 8 July 2026, issues decisions establishing the existence of an employment relationship (Article 19(1)(4) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate).
Labour inspector (inspektor pracy)
A PIP employee who carries out inspections. Issues orders, post-inspection recommendations and instructions (Article 33(1) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). May inspect without prior notice and at any time of the day or night (Article 24(1)).
Employee complaint (skarga pracownicza)
A letter in which a person performing work reports to the PIP a violation of labour law that directly affects them. According to the PIP, it should contain, among other things, the first name and surname, address, the name and address of the employer, and a signature. How do you file a complaint to the National Labour Inspectorate?
Inspection report (protokół kontroli)
A document in which the inspector describes the findings of the inspection. The inspected entity may submit written objections to it within 7 days of the report being presented (Article 31 of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate).
Order (nakaz)
A decision of a labour inspector, e.g. an order to remedy health and safety irregularities or an order to pay remuneration due (Article 11(1) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). An appeal is lodged within 7 days of service of the decision (Article 34(5)). An order to pay remuneration is immediately enforceable. How do you appeal a labour inspector's order and what happens after the OIP decision?
Post-inspection recommendations (wystąpienie)
A letter from the inspector identifying violations and how to remedy them (Article 11(1)(8) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). The addressee informs the PIP of the implementation of the recommendations within the time limit set in the letter, not longer than 30 days (Article 36(2)).
Instruction (polecenie)
A measure the inspector issues during an inspection (Article 11(1)(8) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). Since 8 July 2026, the inspector may issue an instruction to remedy violations concerning a civil-law contract or the failure to conclude an employment contract when the features of an employment relationship predominate in the relationship between the parties (Article 11(2)).
Decision establishing the existence of an employment relationship (decyzja stwierdzająca istnienie stosunku pracy)
A decision of the District Labour Inspector issued since 8 July 2026 if the instruction under Article 11(2) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate has not been carried out (Article 11(1)(7a)). An appeal is lodged with the labour court through the District Labour Inspector within one month of service (Article 477(7b) § 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (KPC)). How the PIP establishes an employment relationship: inspection, instruction and OIP decision step by step.
Individual interpretation by the GIP (interpretacja indywidualna GIP)
A ruling by the Chief Labour Inspector on whether a described legal relationship is an employment relationship, issued at the request of the inspected entity (Article 14b of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). The fee is PLN 40 for each set of facts. Individual interpretation from the Chief Labour Inspector: how to ask whether a contract is an employment relationship.
Employment relationship (stosunek pracy)
Employment in which the employee performs work of a specified type for the employer and under its direction, at a place and time set by the employer, and the employer pays remuneration (Article 22 § 1 of the Labour Code (Kodeks pracy)). The name of the contract does not matter (Article 22 § 1(1)).
Civil-law contract (umowa cywilnoprawna)
A contract concluded under the Civil Code (KC), e.g. a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenia). It is not an employment contract (umowa o pracę). It may not replace an employment contract if the work is performed in the conditions set out in Article 22 § 1 of the Labour Code (Article 22 § 1(2)). Contract of mandate or employment contract? How to check what really binds the parties.
B2B cooperation (współpraca B2B)
A colloquial name for cooperation in which a person running a business (sole proprietorship) performs work for a company under a contract between businesses. Since 8 July 2026, a PIP inspection may also cover businesses for which self-employed people work (Article 13(1) of the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate). B2B contracting and the employment contract: when self-employment is really a job.
Illegal employment (nielegalne zatrudnienie)
Employing a person without confirming in writing, within the required time, the type of contract and its terms, or failing to register an employed person for social insurance (Article 2(14) of the Act of 20 March 2025 on the labour market and employment services).
Overtime (godziny nadliczbowe)
Work beyond the working time standards applicable to the employee. For overtime, the employee is entitled to remuneration and an allowance of 100% or 50% of remuneration, depending on when it falls (Article 151(1) of the Labour Code). Overtime: when is it allowed, how much does the employer pay for it and how do you document it?
Payment in lieu of unused leave (ekwiwalent za urlop)
Money for annual leave not used because the employment relationship was terminated or expired (Article 171 of the Labour Code). Payment in lieu of unused leave: when you are entitled to it, how to calculate it and when it must be paid.
Statutory interest for late payment (odsetki ustawowe za opóźnienie)
Interest that a creditor may demand when a debtor is late in paying a money debt, even if the creditor has not suffered any damage. The rate is the National Bank of Poland (NBP) reference rate plus 5.5 percentage points (Article 481 of the Civil Code). Interest calculator.
Limitation of claims arising from an employment relationship (przedawnienie roszczeń ze stosunku pracy)
Claims arising from an employment relationship become time-barred 3 years after the day they fell due (Article 291 § 1 of the Labour Code).
Accident at work (wypadek przy pracy)
A sudden event caused by an external factor, resulting in injury or death, which occurred in connection with work (Article 3(1) of the Act on social insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases). Accident at work: what must the employer do and what rights does the injured employee have?
ePUAP
The Electronic Platform of Public Administration Services (Elektroniczna Platforma Usług Administracji Publicznej). District Labour Inspectorates give their ePUAP inbox addresses on their websites, e.g. in the format /nazwa/SkrytkaESP. You will find the addresses on the office pages in the directory.
e-Doręczenia
A service for electronic correspondence with public offices, with confirmation of sending and receipt. An e-Doręczenia address has the form AE:PL-..., and inspectorates publish their addresses on their contact pages.
Trusted, personal and qualified signature (podpis zaufany, osobisty i kwalifikowany)
Types of electronic signature with which, according to the PIP, the file containing an employee complaint sent by e-mail must be signed. A trusted signature requires a profil zaufany (Trusted Profile), a personal signature requires an ID card with an electronic layer, and a qualified signature requires a certificate from a trust service provider. How do you sign and send a complaint to the PIP electronically?
As at 15 October 2026.