Update

Press Office of Poczta Polska:

Due to years of neglect, Poczta Polska has found itself in a disastrous financial situation. Therefore, the company’s current management had to implement the Transformation Plan, which is necessary to rebuild the market position of one of Poland’s oldest companies. To save Poczta Polska, employment must be reduced while maintaining the company’s operational capacity. Until now, employee costs accounted for as much as 65 percent of Poczta Polska’s costs, by far the highest proportion in the industry in Europe—in foreign postal operators, labor costs account for approximately 35–40 percent.

One of the gentlest forms of reducing employment is the Voluntary Departure Program. In the first stage, VDP offers were made at the end of last year to more than 900 employees, as many as 73 percent of whom accepted them. This year, nationwide, the program will cover no more than 8,518 positions, and directors, managers, administrative employees and various types of support staff account for half of the selected employees. It is not yet known what proportion of employees will accept the VDP offer.

And adds:

We do not provide detailed data concerning regions, including employment at individual branches—these are internal organizational details.

And emphasizes:

Offers to join the VDP have been sent to eligible employees since February 3. An employee’s decision to take advantage of the Voluntary Departure Program means that they will be covered by the largest support program in the company’s history, because in addition to the severance pay required by law, compensation has been provided for, which may amount to nine times the basic monthly salary if paid monthly, or the equivalent of five times the basic salary if paid as a lump sum within 21 days of the termination of employment. The choice of compensation option belongs exclusively to the employee, and the financial security provided under the VDP may amount to a maximum equivalent of one year’s salary.

Furthermore, the support program provides for the possibility of continuing group insurance and additional medical care for three years after termination of the contract, cancellation of the obligation to reimburse costs for training courses or studies completed during employment, no notice period, allowing employees to start a new job as early as the day after termination of the contract, and access to the educational platform until the end of this year.

Will branches be closed?

Press Office: – At the same time, we inform you that Poczta Polska has no plans to close branches. Only the standardization of postal branches and organizational changes that are exclusively internal in nature are being carried out; they do not affect access to postal services or the range of services offered.

And explains: – As before, residents have the opportunity to use all services at brick-and-mortar branches. As the designated operator, Poczta is obliged to maintain the required level of accessibility to universal services, including an adequate number of postal branches and the delivery of correspondence to all residents throughout the country.

According to Wirtualna Polska, Poczta Polska’s management announced planned collective redundancies at the beginning of the year, which are to affect 8,500 employees. Consultations with trade unions ended in failure.

Wirtualna Polska adds:

Poczta Polska assures that laid-off employees will be covered by a support program. They can count on severance pay and compensation of up to one year’s salary.

We asked the PP press office how many people will lose their jobs in Bolesławiec and our county. We are awaiting a response.