On your first day at work bring an identity document, a residence document, a medical certificate and your bank account number. Before you stand at a machine, under an employment contract you must complete OHS (health and safety) training.

On the first day you sign a contract, receive workwear and learn the rules of work at the position.

What to bring on your first day at work

  • an identity document (passport or ID card) and a document confirming your legal basis of stay,
  • a medical certificate from your initial medical examination stating no contraindications to work in that position,
  • your PESEL number, if you already have one,
  • your bank account number for payroll; how to open one is explained in the text on the bank account for foreigners,
  • employment certificates from previous employers,
  • qualifications: UDT (technical inspection office) licence, driving licence, professional certificates,
  • food and water, if you are not yet sure whether the plant has a canteen.

Who pays for the initial medical examination and why an old certificate is sometimes not enough is explained in the text on initial medical examinations for work.

Can you start work without a contract and OHS training?

Under an employment contract, an employer may not allow an employee to start work without sufficient knowledge of OHS regulations and rules. Initial OHS training is a requirement under the Labour Code, not a company custom. It consists of two parts:

  1. General briefing: basic OHS regulations, the plant's rules, first aid.
  2. Workplace briefing: hazards and safe work at the specific position, shown at the machine or line.

Both briefings take place during working hours and at the employer's expense. An employment contract is signed in writing before work starts. Under a civil contract, the plant also ensures safe conditions for people working on its premises, and the scope of OHS training is set by the plant or the principal. If the contract or the workplace briefing is missing, report it to your supervisor or coordinator before you start work.

How long is OHS training for a new employee

PositionMinimum duration of workplace briefing
manual (production, warehouse, line)8 teaching hours, about 6 clock hours
administrative/office2 teaching hours

These are minimum values: the employer may extend the training. On top of this comes the general briefing, so the whole initial training takes longer than the workplace briefing alone.

What usually happens on the first day

  • issuing workwear and personal protective equipment, if working conditions require them; the rules are explained in the text on workwear and protective equipment,
  • showing the workstation, changing room, canteen, break area and evacuation route,
  • introducing the direct supervisor.

How companies prepare to onboard a new person is explained in the text on onboarding an employee from abroad. The scope of the induction depends on the plant and position.

What to ask on the first day

  1. Who is my direct supervisor and who do I report an absence to.
  2. What does the schedule look like and how far in advance is it published. For shift systems, the text on shift work can help.
  3. When is the first payday and for what period.
  4. How is a machine fault or accident reported.
  5. Where is the first aid kit and the assembly point in an evacuation.

Save the answers on your phone right away, together with the coordinator's number. Under an employment contract, an absence must be reported without delay, in the manner set out in the work regulations, if the plant has one. Under a civil contract, reporting rules come from the contract, so ask about them on the first day.

Documents to sign

On the first day you sign the contract and documents related to the position. If a document is in a language you do not understand, you may ask for an explanation or time to read it.

Which contract clauses to check before signing is covered in the text on how to read an employment contract. With job offers at Amer we explain before the start which formalities and examinations are needed; the initial medical examination is paid by us or by the plant.

Frequently asked questions

Does the employee pay for OHS training?

No. Initial OHS training is organised and paid for by the employer, and under an employment contract it takes place during working hours. Under a civil contract, the scope of training is set by the plant or the principal.

What to do if there was no workplace briefing?

Do not start work at the machine and report the missing briefing to your supervisor or coordinator. Under an employment contract, an employee may not be allowed to work without the workplace briefing.

What does the first day in production look like?

It usually starts with formalities and receiving workwear, then comes the general briefing and the workplace briefing. The briefing for a manual position lasts at least 8 teaching hours, so on production it usually takes up most of the first shift.

Can I take documents home before signing?

You may ask for a copy or for time to read before signing. If the document is in a language you do not understand, ask for an explanation.

This text describes the general rules. What you are entitled to depends on your type of contract: an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie). Your own contract and payslip are what count.