Powrót

Trial period

This article is written according to the legal status current as of: 2024-01-12

What is it?

Trial period is a process of acquiring practical vocational skills by an unemployed person who performs tasks in a place of work and does so without concluding an employment contract.

Who can be sent for a trial period by the district labour office?

Generaly everyone registered with the labour office as an unemployed person may be assigned for a trial period.

However, whether the labour office grants you this kind of support or not depends on type of profile established for you during an interview when a client advisor analyses your situation and chances on the labour market and on the basis of the individual action plan tailored to your needs.

How long can a trial period last?

The trial period may last up to 6 months and in the case of unemployed persons under 30 up to 12 months.

What should you do if you want to be assigned for a trial period?

If you are interested in a trial period, you can ask about vacancies in your district labour office or find an employer on your own. However, it is the employer who applies for a trainee. The decision whether you will be sent for a trial period or not depends mostly on the funds.

Useful information:

  • during a trial period you can gain work experience and improve your chances of undertaking an employment,
  • you will be granted a scholarship equal to 120% of the unemployment benefit paid out by district labour office (see the current rates),
  • during a trial period you still have the status of an unemployed person,
  • the employer is obliged to grant you 2 days off for every 30 calendar days of carried out work of a trial period, remember that trial period is not an employment as defined in provisions of the Labour Code, thus during trial period you are not entitled to unpaid leave or special leave,
  • you will be given a certificate confirming the completion of a trial period,
  • if you are sent for a trial period outside the place of permanent residence, the district labour office may refund the cost of travel to the place when you complete the trial period or the cost of accommodation. 
  • the trial period is included in the period of work, required for a person to acquire or maintain employee benefits, and the contribution period, as understood in the provisions on retirement and disability pensions from the Social Security Fund,
  • the trial period is not included in the periods required for a person to acquire the right to the benefit and to calculate the period of receiving it; the period of employment which conditions eligibility to the holiday leave; the trial period, defined in separate provisions, required for carrying out certain professions,
  • if you refuse to undertake a trial period you will be deprived of the status of an unemployed person
  • the district governor after receiving a motion from the apprentice or ex officio may terminate the contract in case the employer does not complete the apprenticeship program or when he fails to meet the conditions of trial period organisation. The district governor may take the decision after hearing the employer.

Legal basis
Act of 20 April 2004 on employment promotion and labour market institutions (Article 53)

Regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 20 August 2009 on specific terms of carrying out a trial period by unemployed persons.

Development: Editorial team of Zielona Linia


Remember! All the materials posted on the portal www.zielonalinia.gov.pl have been drawn up by the editorial group and are for your information. The editors have put a considerable effort to make the provided information accurate and reliable. However, the information does not constitute a binding interpretation of the law.