Temporary Employment Contract – How Long Can It Last and What You Need to Know About This Form of Employment?

The labour market in 2026 is becoming increasingly flexible, and traditional employment models are giving way to solutions tailored to seasonality and project dynamics. One of the most popular tools that allows companies to manage human resources efficiently is temporary work. What does this mean in practice? It is a three-party legal relationship involving a temporary work agency, the user employer, and the temporary worker. The key element binding this arrangement together is the temporary employment contract.

Temporary work – what is it and how does it work?

Unlike a standard employment relationship, where two parties are involved, temporary work is based on a specific legal structure. The temporary work agency is the formal employer – it is the one that signs the contract, pays social security (ZUS) contributions, calculates taxes, and pays the remuneration. The user employer, in turn, assigns tasks and supervises their performance at its own workplace.

This model is extremely popular in large urban areas. Searches such as temporary work Warsaw or Wrocław enjoy enormous popularity, because they allow candidates to quickly find employment and companies to rapidly fill staffing gaps without burdening their own HR departments.

How long can temporary work last? Limits and regulations

One of the most frequently asked questions by both sides of the transaction is how long temporary work can last. The regulations in Poland are very precise on this matter, in order to prevent the abuse of this form of employment to replace permanent positions.

Under the act, a temporary work agency may assign a given worker to perform temporary work for a single user employer for a period not exceeding a combined total of 18 months over a period of 36 consecutive months.

This means that after working for a year and a half at one client, the temporary worker must have a break of at least 18 months before being able to take up work again at the same company (even if assigned by a different agency). There is, however, an exception – if the temporary worker performs tasks to replace an absent permanent employee, this period may be extended to 36 months.

The temporary employment contract and the worker's rights

A common myth is the belief that a temporary employment contract offers less protection than a standard permanent position. Nothing could be further from the truth. The rights of a temporary worker are broadly protected by legislation:

• Right to leave: the worker is entitled to 2 days of annual leave for each month of remaining at the disposal of the user employer.

• Principle of non-discrimination: a temporary worker may not be treated less favourably with regard to working conditions and pay than workers employed directly by the user employer in the same or a similar position.

• Safety (OHS): the user employer is obliged to provide safe and hygienic working conditions, protective clothing, and the necessary job-specific training.

• Protection against termination: although the notice periods are shorter (usually 3 days for contracts of up to 2 weeks and 1 week for longer contracts), the worker has full protection in the area of social insurance.

Why do companies choose temporary work?

Employers opt for this model mainly because of cost optimisation and managing financial liquidity. The costs associated with recruitment, selection, and payroll administration are transferred to the agency. As a result, the company can respond flexibly to increased orders or seasonal production peaks while maintaining a healthy level of working capital.

Moreover, temporary work in locations such as temporary work Warsaw provides quick access to a wide pool of candidates, including foreigners, whose legalisation of residence and work is a complex process – agencies such as Gremi Personal take on these formalities.

Challenges and benefits for the worker

For many people, a temporary employment contract is a great way to enter the labour market or change industries. It allows them to try out different employers without having to commit to a long-term contract. In turn, for those who value flexibility, it is an ideal way to combine work with studies or other commitments.

The key to satisfaction, however, is choosing a reliable partner. A professional temporary work agency guarantees that the remuneration will always reach the account on time and that all the temporary worker's rights will be respected.

Knowing how long temporary work can last and what obligations rest on each of the parties is the foundation of safe and effective cooperation. Temporary work is a modern response to the needs of the economy, offering security for the worker and the necessary flexibility for the employer.

At Gremi Personal, we believe that transparent rules and professional HR and payroll services are the standard that every temporary worker deserves. If you are looking for support with recruitment or planning your career path in this model, our experts are ready to help you through every stage of the process.