No contract — Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP) · Poland

Direct answer

A contract exists the moment you work for someone under their direction for pay — a written document is proof, not a condition. You have the same rights to the minimum wage, holidays, sick pay and notice as anyone. The employer must give you the written terms within a short deadline (EU rule: essentials within a week). Ask for them in writing. Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP) (801 002 006) inspects undeclared work and the penalties hit the employer, not you; Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ) (solidarnosc.org.pl) represents you; ZUS — odwołanie od decyzji (22 560 16 00) can confirm whether you are registered and insured.

Call firstPaństwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)

Report toZwiązek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ)

If that failsZUS — odwołanie od decyzji

🗣️ What to say

"I have worked for you since [date] as [role], [hours] per week, at [pay]. I have not received a written statement of my terms. Please provide it within 7 days and confirm that I am registered for social security. I also ask for [unpaid wages / holidays] to be paid."

🪜 Step by step

Collect proof of the workMessages, rosters, payslips or cash records, photos at the workplace, colleagues who will confirm.
Ask for the written termsThe employer must provide them. A refusal is itself a breach.
Check your registration: ZUS — odwołanie od decyzjiYour online social-security account shows whether contributions were paid. If not, the employer owes them retroactively.
Report to Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP)Inspectorates enforce registration and pay the worker's back contributions from the employer. You can report anonymously.
Claim what you are owed: Związek zawodowy (NSZZ Solidarność, OPZZ)Wages, holidays, notice — the labour court accepts proof of work in any form.

📇 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

ZUS — odwołanie od decyzjiBenefits, overpayments, court appealWithin one month of the decision📞 22 560 16 00 🔗 www.zus.pl

Sąd pracy (sąd rejonowy)Contesting dismissal within 21 days, wagesWithin 21 days of the dismissal🔗 www.gov.pl/web/sprawiedliwosc

❓ Frequently asked

Will I get in trouble for working off the books?

The obligation to register and pay contributions is the employer's. Workers rarely face penalties, and inspectorates protect those who report.

Am I a freelancer or an employee?

If they set your hours, your tasks and your tools, you are an employee whatever the invoice says. False self-employment is reclassified by courts and inspectorates.

I was hurt at work and I am not registered

Report the accident anyway — accident insurance covers unregistered workers in most countries and recovers the cost from the employer.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“working without contract rights Poland”
“employer no written contract”
“undeclared work report Poland”
“false self employment”
“not registered social security employer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Poland

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · PolandElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Poland, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

📄 I work without a written contract or off the books — what are my rights?