Scathing Audit of Krakow Opera Reveals Salary Inflation and Compliance Failures

A new report from Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK) exposes systematic failures at the Krakow Opera between 2022 and 2024, citing irregular hiring, inflated salaries, unlicensed alcohol sales, and ignored mobbing complaints.

Management and Institutional Failures

The NIK audit reveals that the director twice modified the institution’s organizational regulations without mandatory approvals from the Małopolska Regional Office or labor unions. Nearly one-quarter of all authorized positions remained vacant, and the legally required Artistic-Program Council was not established until 30 months into the director’s tenure.

Additionally, the director engaged in outside conducting and educational activities without restriction. Over a two-year period, he conducted at least 102 performances, 16 of which were performed without the required authorization from regional authorities.

The Audit Office also confirmed that the director failed to respond to a formal complaint from an employee reporting long-term humiliating treatment, which ultimately led to the staff member’s resignation in July 2024.

Hiring Irregularities and Salary Inflation

The report highlights significant abuses in employment practices. Two individuals were hired while bypassing standard recruitment procedures, and positions for a project manager and analyst were created for specific candidates with unrealistically high experience requirements.

Two staff members received salaries exceeding the maximum authorized rates by nearly 160,000 PLN, earning 30 percent more than their counterparts. These individuals also received function bonuses equivalent to deputy directors despite having no subordinates for several months.

NIK identified a clear conflict of interest where an employee responsible for event organization represented a foundation that held contracts with the Opera for those same events, effectively allowing the individual to negotiate with themselves.

Unregulated Alcohol Sales and Financial Misconduct

Auditors determined that three out of four catering companies operating on the premises served alcohol without the required permits. Furthermore, the “WinOpera” event series, which paired music with wine tastings, was classified by NIK as an illegal promotion of alcohol and a violation of public consumption bans.

The institution also underreported its floor area by approximately 276 square meters for property tax purposes, resulting in a 17,500 PLN tax avoidance. Additional lapses were found in public procurement, specifically regarding a 542,000 PLN contract for a stage manager communications system that hindered fair competition.

Accountability and Future Actions

NIK issued 18 post-audit recommendations, including the implementation of conflict-of-interest safeguards, transparent payroll policies, and proper mobbing response procedures. The Chamber is now preparing notifications for the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, the National Labor Inspectorate, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), and other financial and regulatory oversight bodies.