The amendment passed on a 430-12 vote, with no abstentions, on Thursday, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Telework will now be enshrined in Poland’s Labour Code, defined as “work performed entirely or partly in a place chosen by the employee and agreed on with the employer, including at the employee’s place of residence, in particular using means of remote communication,” as cited by the state PAP news agency.
Under the new legislation, staff will be allowed to work remotely on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the needs of the given employee and employer, including in emergency situations such as the outbreak of an epidemic or when the worker needs to look after a relative, reporters were told.
Telework arrangements will have to be offered to parents of children of up to four years of age; parents and carers of people with disabilities; and pregnant women.
The rule applies unless the work in question, due to its nature or organisation, cannot be performed remotely, for instance the work of police, fire service and other uniformed services, according to the new legislation.
Employers given powers to test employees for alcohol
The amendment to the Labour Code also grants employers and the police powers to test employees for alcohol and similar substances, if it is necessary to protect the life and health of workers, other people or property.
Employees who test positive for alcohol or similar substances will not be allowed to work, under the amendment.
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Source: IAR, PAP, rmf24.pl