The number of temporary workers in Poland decreased by 8% compared to the same period last year, according to research from Polskie Forum HR, the Polish Human Resources Forum (PFHR).

At the same time, the average period of employment for a temporary employee increased from 58.6 days in 2021 to 61.8 in 2022. 

The turnover of Forum member companies in the field of temporary work last year increased by 1%, reaching the level of PLN 3.44 billion. This steady figure was due to rising salaries.

The outsourcing services market grew by 24% in 2022, reaching the value of PLN 1.58 billion (€335.56 million) among PFHR member companies.

In 2022, the Forum reported large increases (35%) in the implementation of recruitment projects for Polish employers, reaching the value of over PLN 297 million (€63.0 million) among PFHR member companies. 

Anna Wicha, President of the Polish HR Forum, and Global Head of Outsourcing Adecco, said, “The demand for talents, despite a temporary weakening of employers' moods, still remains at a high level. In addition, after the experience of the pandemic, employers are very careful in making decisions about dismissing employees. They know that later obtaining candidates from the market will be an even bigger problem. All this translates into a relatively stable situation on the labour market.”

Looking ahead, Henri Viswat, CEO of Randstad Poland, said, “The uncertain economic situation and the impact of rising costs on the operations of companies are not conducive to making decisions about hiring employees. In the first half of 2023, only 16% of employers are planning new recruitments. At the same time, some sectors of the Polish economy maintain a stable portfolio of orders or support investment plans. Companies still need employees. In this situation, temporary work remains an important solution for them, which allows them to flexibly adjust the level of employment to dynamic changes in the level of demand and other unpredictable effects of the economic slowdown.”

Marcos Segador Arrebola, Managing Director of Gi Group Holding in Poland, said, “The first months of this year suggest that the situation will be similar to last year's. The consequences of disruption of supply and sales chains, high inflation, fluctuations in demand and regulatory changes will still be visible. The most important factor will be the ongoing war in Ukraine. Due to rising costs and uncertainty of forecasts, companies continue to optimise budgets and employment policies. On the other hand, we observe a persistent shortage of employees and specialists in industries that resist the crisis.”

“The scale of demand for employees will depend on the industry and the specificity of the position,” Segador-Arrebola said. “It can also be assumed that the general economic slowdown and wage pressure will make companies more open to flexible forms of employment.”