Alcohol in Workplace Policy: What Every Employee in Poland Should Know

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Can you have a beer after work if you’re still on company premises? What about during an office party? Many foreign workers think that once their shift ends, they can relax.

This is a serious mistake.

Alcohol in the workplace in Poland is categorically prohibited. Even after your shift ends, even during non-working hours—if you’re on employer property, there’s an absolute ban in effect.

Recently, the situation has become even stricter. Polish employers have gained the legal right to test employees for sobriety. Moreover, they can conduct tests at any moment when necessary to “ensure safety.”

What Levels Are Considered a Violation?

According to the Labor Code, an employee is considered intoxicated when there is 0.25 mg of alcohol in 1 dm³ of exhaled air. This is a very low threshold—essentially any amount of alcohol can become a problem.

No exceptions are provided. No office parties, no “symbolic” 50 grams, no “I’m not driving.”

The consequences are serious: from fines to immediate dismissal. And for foreigners—there’s also a risk of deportation.

Legal Prohibition of Alcohol in Polish Companies

February 21, 2023—this date changed the rules of the game for all workers in Poland. That’s when amendments to the Labor Code came into force, giving employers new powers.

Now your boss can officially check if you’ve been drinking. And it doesn’t matter what type of contract you have.

Who Do the New Rules Apply To?

Everyone without exception:

• Umowa o pracę (employment contract)
• Umowa zlecenie (contract of mandate)
• Umowa o dzieło (contract for specific work)
• Self-employed individuals, if their work is organized by the employer

No one has been left out. If you work officially—you fall under this control.

When Can They Test You?

Formally—only to “ensure the protection of life and health of employees or to protect property.” But this wording is so broad that the employer can schedule tests almost at any time.

Both preventive and selective.

What Levels Indicate a Violation?

Polish legislation clearly distinguishes:

• After consuming alcohol: 0.1–0.25 mg in 1 dm³ of exhaled air (0.2–0.5‰ in blood)
• State of intoxication: more than 0.25 mg in 1 dm³ (more than 0.5‰ in blood)

Even a minimal amount is already considered a violation.

How Are Tests Conducted?

An employer cannot simply arrange a surprise test. The procedure must be outlined in the collective agreement or workplace regulations. Plus—employees must be notified in advance.

What About Remote Work?

This is more interesting. Testing is only possible with the employee’s agreement, during working hours, and without violating privacy. In other words, they won’t just come to your home unannounced.

What Are the Consequences?

When alcohol is detected, the employer can:

• Remove you from work
• Issue a fine or reprimand
• Terminate employment without notice for gross violation

The last point is processed as “disciplinary punishment” under Article 52 of the Labor Code.

The result is one—loss of job and problems finding a new one.

Employee Responsibility for Alcohol in the Workplace

Caught with alcohol at work? The consequences will be serious.

Polish labor legislation doesn’t joke with violators. The employer has a whole arsenal of punishments—from fines to immediate dismissal.

What Punishments Await the Violator?

A fine is the first thing that threatens an employee for showing up intoxicated. The amount cannot exceed one day’s salary for a single violation. The total amount of all fines—no more than a tenth of the monthly salary.

But that’s not all. When alcohol is detected, the employer can:

• Remove you from work (the day will count as an absence)
• Apply disciplinary action
• Terminate employment without notice for gross violation

Remote Work—Also Under Control

Working from home? That’s not a reason to relax.

Employers notice: remote employees sometimes allow themselves to drink before the end of the workday. It shows in video conferences—slurred speech, inappropriate behavior, aggression.

Proving alcohol consumption during remote work is more difficult. Indirect signs are not proof. The employer can call the police, but you are not obligated to let them in without a warrant.

What Remains in the Documents?

Information about detected intoxication is stored in the personal file for up to a year. In case of disciplinary action—until the punishment is canceled.

The conclusion is simple: any alcohol in the workplace is a path to dismissal. For foreigners, the consequences are even more serious.

Sobriety at work is not a recommendation. It’s a legal requirement.

Real Examples and Consequences for Foreigners

During our work, we’ve seen how the attitude of Polish authorities toward violations is changing. The times of leniency are gone.

The numbers speak for themselves: in 2023, 17.3 thousand foreigners committed crimes in Poland—2.4 thousand more than the previous year. Almost every third person (about 4.9 thousand) got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

The main consequences for foreigners:

• Immediate deportation after serving the punishment
• Ban on entering the Schengen zone
• Loss of right to temporary protection in Poland

Polish authorities no longer forgive alcohol violations. Even legal residence status won’t protect you from deportation if you systematically break the rules.

At our agency, we always warn: one mistake can cross out years of legal work in Poland.

Conclusion

The rules are simple—alcohol and work in Poland are incompatible.

Yes, this may seem strict. Especially if you’re used to more lenient approaches in other countries. But Polish authorities no longer compromise—neither with locals nor with foreigners.

What’s important to remember:

Your employer can test you for sobriety at any moment.

Even a minimal amount of alcohol can cost you your job.

For foreigners, the consequences are especially serious—up to deportation.

We understand this. Adapting to new rules is always a challenge. But knowledge of the laws will help you avoid problems that can ruin your plans for life in Poland.

Maintain work discipline. Respect local laws. And remember: your reputation and status in the country are worth much more than any alcohol.

Need help with employment in Poland? We’ll help you find official work with honest conditions and explain all the nuances of local legislation.