The "Safe at Work 2024" study surveyed 1,034 employees and 200 business owners and managers, revealing that Polish workers spend an average of 41 hours per week at work.
Employers reported working even longer hours, averaging almost three extra hours per week.
These figures suggest that actual working hours might be higher than the 39.3-hour average reported by Eurostat for 2023, placing Poles among Europe's most overworked populations.
Gazeta Wyborcza notes that it's no surprise workers feel tired and lack motivation after such long weeks.
Both employees and employers reported signs of burnout, with common complaints including a lack of motivation, boredom and a sense of monotony.
Employees attributed their exhaustion mainly to a heavy workload, physical strain, and burnout.
Meanwhile, employers also pointed to issues such as routine, lack of job satisfaction and limited career prospects.
According to the study, psychological fatigue is a more significant problem than physical tiredness, with 47 percent of employees saying they experience mental exhaustion frequently or daily.
Employers reported similar levels of mental fatigue, though they were less likely to cite physical exhaustion, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The data revealed that the youngest workers, under 24, clocked in slightly fewer hours, around 39 per week, compared to older colleagues. Despite this, they reported the highest levels of physical exhaustion.
Workers aged 25-34 worked the longest hours, averaging 41.56 hours per week, and were most affected by mental fatigue.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, Gazeta Wyborcza