Poles no longer consider their jobs a necessary evil

Poles no longer consider their jobs as a necessary evil, to the extent that over 42 percent willingly work overtime, the daily newspaper Dziennik reported. According to the latest study conducted by CBOS, the national opinions research center, three out of four go to work with a sense of enjoyment.

In addition, results from a study carried out for the Polish Confederation of Private Employers, Lewiatan, prove working Poles have changed their views on work. Formerly regarded as a source of misery, where workers have to follow orders, anticipating the very moment the clock indicates the time to finally go home, employment is now highly regarded for its positive effects on self-esteem, contentment, and social life.

Previously unclear, perhaps due to the transition from socialist ways, the true opinions of Poles towards work have caused a response of astonishment. Suddenly, it has been found that Polish employees value their jobs and that, instead of complaining about their wages being too low (although 70 percent of those asked were not satisfied with their salary), they have begun to recognize the various advantages of a steady job.

In the opinion of Mieczyslaw Kabaj, a professor from the Institute for Labor and Social Services, one of the factors leading to this change is the increase in available positions in the job market, which in turn delivers more comfort, as well as a better workplace atmosphere. As a result of the rise in the market, employees feel more confident in their place of work, which leads to less stress. A great majority of Polish workers feel their jobs give them a feeling of self-worth and consider themselves necessary in the development of the company.

In fact, according to the “Warsaw Voice,” Poland’s economic condition promotes workaholism. Behaviors diagnosed by psychiatrists as pathological are driven by the Polish labor market, now struggling with 13-percent unemployment. In exchange for high wages and swift advancement opportunities, young people eagerly accept workdays exceeding 10 hours. They argue that they cannot work any less if they want to attain professional and economic success.

“In Poland, the prices of basic commodities, housing and cars are so high that one cannot earn them working only eight hours a day,” says Witold Szram of Ammirati Puris Lintas advertising agency. Thus, though a sign of progress, the newly discovered dedication towards work raises the issue of whether Poles may indeed turn into workaholics. The poll results show that 56 percent of Polish workers declare they enjoy spending their free time with work colleagues. Consequently, there looms the threat of becoming too involved with one’s occupation and not being able to separate the professional life from the personal one.