New and substantial money for employees over 50
- Employees aged 50+ are distinguished by their experience and loyalty to their employer, which makes them a valuable part of the company.
- Despite negative stereotypes, data shows that people over 50 often perform as well as or better than younger generations.
- The regulations on subsidies for employers employing older workers introduced in 2025 have the potential to break the market deadlock.
According to the portal infor.pl, for years the most important traits in the job market were youth, flexibility, and a willingness to change. People who regularly changed companies and positions were valued.
Companies are currently recognizing the negative consequences of a lack of experienced employees . The solution lies in the Silver Generation, meaning people over 50.
They are competent and have invaluable experience gained after nearly thirty years of work, says Mikołaj Zając, a labor market expert from Conperio.
Representatives of the so-called silver generation tend to stay at one company for a long time, unlike younger ones who resign after 2-3 years.
Today's 50-year-olds can operate modern systems and programs, and, as Conperio data shows, they are more loyal and less likely to abuse sick leave.
Statistics clearly show that these employees have the highest rate of sick leave. This may be due to their desire to work peacefully until retirement, Zając points out.
The problem is that the labor market still distrusts people over 50. According to data from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, at the end of 2024, 211,700 unemployed people over 50 were registered with labor offices – 0.2 percent more than a year earlier. As many as 90 percent of respondents to the Hays Poland survey believe that those over 50 have a harder time finding their place in the labor market, PulsHR.pl reported.
A study by the Polish Economic Institute revealed that stereotypes remain extremely strong. The word "young" appeared 27 times in job ads, while the adjectives "energetic" and "dynamic" appeared 7 and 29 times, respectively.
Managers in OECD countries themselves admit that employees over 45 perform just as well, and sometimes even better, than younger ones. Despite this, Poland remains a European outsider – the employment rate for those aged 55–64 is among the lowest in the entire EU, Anna Potocka-Domin reminded PulsHR.
A law intended to address the current labor market situation has been in effect since the beginning of June. Employers who hire people over 50 can receive a subsidy of 50% of the minimum wage for a year. Pensioners are eligible for the support for two years.
It is crucial not to perceive this group only as future retirees, but as valuable employees whose experience and knowledge can actually support economic development, says Krzysztof Inglot from Personnel Service.
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