Odpowiedzialność materialna pracowników na gruncie Kodeksu pracy
Material responsibility of employees: the Labour Code

Summary/Abstract: Employees’ responsibility for property entrusted to them by the employer is a major problem in the field of labour law. Employees do not always perform their work the way their employer would like them to. In all areas of economic life, employees’ actions can result in damage sustained by the employer or third parties. If an employee is at fault, the employer can seek the damage to be redressed either out-of-court or in court. Sometimes, breach of employment duties, which caused damage, can make the employer decide to terminate employment. Even if the employer terminates employment with notice or under art. 52 of Poland’s Labour Code, it is still necessary to collect payment as damages, which the employee should cover. Employees who will identify and prove circumstances, which have resulted in damage due to reasons beyond their control may be released from their liability. It is also possible to limit employees’ liability for all or part of the damage to property entrusted to them. Employees’ responsibility for property entrusted to them by the employer is strongly related to the provisions and principles of occupational safety and health (OSH). Employees who ignore the provisions and principles of OSH have to reckon with the consequences in the form of being held responsible, having their employment terminated or even having their employment terminated without notice due to their fault (art. 52 § 1 point 1 of Poland’s Labour Code).

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