Nearly 713,000 overtime hours were worked across 658 Polish government offices in 2025, a rise of over 72,000 hours from 2024.
Overtime Hours Increase in Government Offices
Members of the civil service employed in 658 offices—37 percent of all offices—worked almost 713,000 overtime hours, exceeding the 2024 total by over 72,000 hours, according to the latest 2025 report on the state of the civil service.
Historical Trends and Staffing Concerns
Government administration saw overtime reach as high as one million additional hours annually a decade ago. Currently, fluctuations exist within this range. Experts attribute overtime to staffing shortages and peak workloads, particularly in tax administration.
Unincreased Overtime Compensation
Civil service unions have long advocated for compensatory time off for overtime. They also sought increased remuneration for working extra hours, maintaining that current regulations, revised in 2024, conflict with the European Social Charter, ratified by Poland in 1997.
Changes regarding overtime in the civil service were incorporated into Article 5 of the Act of June 16, 2023, amending the Value Added Tax Act and other acts (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 1598). Consequently, civil service employees can request time off or compensation for overtime, with the final decision resting with the Director-General. These regulations have been in effect since January 1, 2024.
However, decision-makers are reportedly unwilling to provide additional pay to civil servants.
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