Gen Z Work Culture in Poland: The Good, The Bad, and The Changes Needed

 Gen Z Work Culture in Poland: The Good, The Bad, and The Changes Needed

Introduction

The Polish labor market is undergoing a remarkable shift with the arrival of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012). These young workers bring a fresh perspective on work ethics, digital integration, social responsibility, and mental health. However, their unique expectations clash at times with traditional work cultures. This blog explores Gen Z work culture in Poland, highlighting the positive and negative sides, the necessary changes for a healthier professional environment, and provides substantial data to give you a full picture.



Understanding Generation Z in Poland

According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), Gen Z now makes up about 20% of the country's workforce in 2025. Unlike Millennials, Gen Z grew up in an environment of rapid technological change, climate crises, and economic uncertainty, especially influenced by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Characteristics of Gen Z in Poland:

  • Digital Natives: 96% use smartphones daily (Statista, 2024).

  • Value-Driven: 72% prefer working for companies with strong ethical policies.

  • Mental Health Awareness: 68% prioritize work-life balance over salary (ManpowerGroup Survey, 2023).

  • Global Mindset: Many Polish Gen Zers have studied abroad via Erasmus+ programs or have international experience.

 

The Good Sides of Gen Z Work Culture in Poland

  1. Technological Proficiency Poland's booming IT sector, valued at over €13 billion (Polish Investment and Trade Agency, 2024), benefits immensely from tech-savvy Gen Z employees. They bring expertise in AI, cloud computing, blockchain, and cybersecurity.

  2. Innovation and Creativity Gen Z employees seek purpose-driven innovation. Startups like Brainly and Booksy, founded by young Poles, showcase Gen Z's entrepreneurial spirit.

  3. Diversity and Inclusion Younger Polish workers advocate strongly for inclusive workplaces. 61% of Gen Z workers in Poland support gender-neutral hiring policies (Glassdoor Research, 2024).

  4. Mental Health Prioritization Unlike previous generations, Gen Z in Poland openly discusses mental health. Companies like CD Projekt Red have introduced mental health days and therapy support to retain talent.

  5. Flexible Work Preferences Remote and hybrid work models gained popularity post-pandemic. 74% of Gen Z employees in Poland prefer a hybrid work structure (Deloitte Global Millennial and Gen Z Survey, 2024).


The Bad Sides of Gen Z Work Culture in Poland

  1. Job-Hopping Tendency On average, a Polish Gen Z employee switches jobs every 1.8 years (Randstad Report, 2024). High turnover rates cost Polish businesses millions in recruitment and training.

  2. Unrealistic Expectations Many Gen Z workers expect rapid promotions and high salaries without sufficient experience. This sometimes creates friction with employers accustomed to traditional career progression.

  3. Short-Term Focus Rather than committing long-term, many Polish Gen Z professionals prioritize immediate job satisfaction, sometimes at the cost of strategic career growth.

  4. Mental Health Crises While advocacy is commendable, mental health issues remain high. According to the Polish Psychological Society, 42% of Gen Z workers in Poland report frequent anxiety episodes.

  5. Reduced Face-to-Face Skills Overreliance on digital communication has led to a decline in interpersonal skills, critical in client-facing industries like consulting and sales.



What Needs to Change: A Roadmap for Better Integration

  1. Education on Realistic Career Growth Employers should organize workshops that set clear, realistic expectations about promotions and salary growth.

  2. Enhanced Mental Health Support Companies must invest more in wellness programs, offering counseling, flexible work hours, and regular mental health check-ins.

  3. Structured Hybrid Work Models Providing options for flexible yet structured hybrid models can enhance productivity. 80% of Polish Gen Z workers said flexible working hours improve job satisfaction (PwC Poland Report, 2024).

  4. Mentorship Programs Introducing mentorship programs can bridge the communication gap between Gen Z and older generations, fostering mutual learning.

  5. Clearer Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives Transparency in CSR initiatives boosts Gen Z engagement. Polish companies with strong ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ratings report 30% higher Gen Z retention (EY Survey, 2023).

  6. Gamification of Work Tasks Gamified tasks improve Gen Z engagement by 48% (Gamification Europe Conference, 2024). Companies could implement rewards systems, point-based productivity apps, and internal competitions.


Polish Companies Leading the Way

  • Allegro: Offers flexible work-from-home policies and mental health programs.

  • CD Projekt Red: Invests heavily in employee wellbeing and remote work flexibility.

  • Santander Bank Polska: Emphasizes DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training and mental health support.

  • Polpharma: Integrates young talents into CSR projects to promote meaningful work engagement.


Final Thoughts: Balancing Idealism with Pragmatism

The work culture Gen Z is nurturing in Poland is vibrant, tech-forward, and socially responsible. Yet, there are significant areas that demand adjustment both from the young employees and their employers. For sustainable growth, a mutual understanding is vital: Gen Z needs to balance expectations with patience, while companies must evolve workplace practices to foster well-being, innovation, and loyalty.

Ultimately, a hybrid approach that respects tradition while embracing the future is key to crafting a thriving Polish workplace for Gen Z and beyond.


Quick Data Recap:

  • 96% of Gen Z use smartphones daily

  • 68% value work-life balance over salary

  • 74% prefer hybrid work structures

  • 61% support gender-neutral hiring

  • 42% report frequent anxiety episodes

  • 1.8 years: average job tenure



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