My employer doesn't pay my wages — who do I contact?

Direct answer

Unpaid wages are the one dispute where waiting costs you: claims expire. Write to the employer with the amount and a short deadline, then contact Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP) (801 002 006) — the body that enforces employment law in Poland; they can inspect and order payment. A union, Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ) (solidarnosc.org.pl), takes the case for members and often for new members too. If the employer is insolvent, FGŚP — Fundusz Gwarantowanych Świadczeń Pracowniczych pays the last months from a guarantee fund. Keep contracts, payslips and hours worked.

Employment claims expire after three years; a wage claim at the labour court is free of court fees up to PLN 50,000.

Call firstPaństwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)

Report toZwiązek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ)

If that failsFGŚP — Fundusz Gwarantowanych Świadczeń Pracowniczych

🗣️ What to say

"My wages for [month] of €… gross were due on [date] and have not been paid. I request payment within 7 days. If not, I will file with Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP) and claim interest and costs."

🪜 Step by step

Put it in writingAmount, period, due date, 7-day deadline. Keep every message about pay.
Gather proofContract, payslips, bank statements, your own record of hours and days worked, work chat messages.
Report to Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)Complaints are confidential; the inspectorate can visit and fine. It costs nothing.
Get Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ) on your sideUnions know the collective agreement that may set a higher wage than your contract, and they represent you in court.
Insolvent employer? FGŚP — Fundusz Gwarantowanych Świadczeń PracowniczychThe wage guarantee fund pays a capped amount of unpaid wages when the company goes bust — apply quickly, deadlines are short.

📇 All contacts

Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)Complaint, inspection, order to pay wagesAs soon as the wages are late📞 801 002 006 🔗 www.pip.gov.pl

Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ)Advice and representation at the labour courtFor members; you can join right away🔗 www.solidarnosc.org.pl

FGŚP — Fundusz Gwarantowanych Świadczeń PracowniczychPays unpaid wages when the employer is insolventApplication through the regional labour office🔗 www.gov.pl/web/rodzina/fundusz-gwarantowanych-swiadczen-pracowniczych

❓ Frequently asked

Can I stop working until I am paid?

In most countries yes, after a written warning, if the arrears are substantial — check with Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ) first so it cannot be treated as abandonment.

I worked without a contract

You are still an employee. Messages, hours, colleagues and payments prove the relationship, and the inspectorate can enforce the minimum wage.

How long do I have?

Limitation periods are short — often one to three years, and collective agreements may cut it to months. Act now.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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💼 My employer doesn't pay my wages — who do I contact?