Most Poles back shorter workdays or time off during heatwaves: survey

Nearly 60 percent of Poles support introducing rules requiring shorter working hours or a day off during extreme heatwaves when temperatures exceed a specified threshold, according to a survey.

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The survey, conducted by pollster United Surveys by IBRiS for the Wirtualna Polska news outlet, found that 59.2 percent of respondents favoured such measures, with 22.6 percent saying they "strongly" supported the idea and 36.6 percent saying they moderately supported it.

About 26.6 percent opposed the proposal, including 24.2 percent who were moderately opposed and 2.4 percent who were "strongly" opposed, while 14.2 percent said they were undecided.

The poll comes as the government considers new workplace safety regulations aimed at protecting employees during periods of extreme heat.

A draft regulation drawn up by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy would clarify employers' obligations when temperatures become excessively high, including setting maximum workplace temperature thresholds at which certain types of work would have to be temporarily suspended.

Under the proposal published late last year, employers would be required to halt work indoors when temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius and outdoors when they rise above 32 degrees Celsius.

Where temperatures cannot be reduced, employers would be required to agree with employee representatives on organisational measures to limit workers' heat exposure.

The draft regulation was discussed by a government committee in late June and, under the latest version, would take effect on January 1, 2027.

The poll was conducted from June 26 to 28 among a representative sample of 1,000 adults using online and telephone interviews, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

(gs)

Source: PAP