Equivalent working time system and the settlement period

For some employers, the optimal solution to ensure flexibility in determining employees’ working time is to choose an equivalent working time system. Clients of the PRWT accounting office ask what this system is and what settlement period can be used in it?

An equivalent working time system consists in the possibility of extending an employee’s daily working time to no more than 12 hours in a settlement period not exceeding one month. The daily working time extended in this way is balanced by shorter daily working time on some days or days off.

The one-month settlement period indicated above may be extended in justified cases to no more than 3 months.

However, if we are dealing with work that depends on the season or weather conditions, the settlement period may be extended to no more than 4 months.

See also: Equivalent working time system – practical questions

Please remember the content of Art. 150 pairs 2 of the Polish Labor Code, according to which in the case of employers with no trade unions, the extension of the settlement period to 3 or 4 months, respectively, when using an equivalent working time system, requires prior notification of the relevant district labor inspector.

If you are looking for services we offer, contact us:

Accounting Office / Accounting Kraków

PHONE: +48 12 345 21 06
EMAIL: biuro.krakow@prwt.pl

Accounting Office / Accounting Warsaw

PHONE: +48 22 292 47 21
EMAIL: biuro.warszawa@prwt.pl

Changing Accounting Firms – What to Keep in Mind When Transferring HR and Payroll?
Changing Accounting Firms – What to Keep in Mind When Transferring HR and Payroll?

Introduction

The decision to change ...

23 April 2026
Accounting in Warsaw – how much does it really cost and how to avoid overpaying?
Accounting in Warsaw – how much does it really cost and how to avoid overpaying?

Running a business ...

7 April 2026
Payroll as an Essential Element of HR and Payroll Services
Payroll as an Essential Element of HR and Payroll Services

Payroll preparation is one of the typical activities ...

27 March 2026
MORE