Law /
Hiring a Polish Worker - Pros and Cons [107]
The world has suddenly become very small. Fifty years ago or so, hardly a few Poles were ever allowed to go abroad. The "iron curtain" remained perfectly closed and a couple of generations of Poles have never been able to set their foot outside the country.The times have changed. A steady flow of Polish hopefuls on their way to the West are looking for a job and an income that is higher than what they are being offered in their homeland. Add to that that the unemployment in Poland is soaring and reaching now 20% of the population and you get a predictable equation. The Poles are going West.
But, and there is always a but. Although formally the borders are open, in reality all of the EU countries, except Great Britain, do no accept foreign work seekers. Many try the US, which is another viable option, but it is not easy. The land of the free does not want free immigration of labor. They have enough problems as Is with the illegal migrants coming to the US searching for gold.
But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that you are an employer, be it in the UK or the US. There is a knock on your door. A man comes in talking to you in broken English. He or she is looking for a job. He explains that he is Polish. You ponder: Hiring a Polish worker, hmmm? What are the pros and cons?
The ProsAlthough the Poles speak a language that sounds strange and funny in the ears of the Westerner, they are real Europeans. Poland, being situated in the Eastern Europe, but next to Germany, is in fact the most westernized country in the East. The country has had a queen from Italy, a king from Sweden, and France, been under German and Austrian rule, and has been catholic for a thousand years. Latin and later French had been the languages of choice of the Polish nobles, and the most famous Polish composer, Chopin, was actually French. What it means is that if you talk to a Pole or socialize with one you should not have a difficulty to understand their way of thinking. Basically the Poles adhere to the same basic values that are understood and respected in the West. Come on time to work, respect the boss, do what you are told - within a reason. Do a good job, try do climb the ladder.
Hey, Poles are not much different than the rest of us. Add to that, most Poles have a pretty good basic education and are willing to adjust to the life in the West and you'll get a hard to beat combination. True, they are not world champions when it comes to mastering English, but they are willing, and that counts.
After a while, you will have an employee, who not only has adjusted well, but who will be able, on most occasions, to understand what you are driving at. Add a few months and he will talk (and swear) like a native.
The ConsThe Poles have been too long under the rules of the Soviet Union and the working morale might need some improvement. The Poles are also very observant and inventive, thus, you need to have some control over what is going on. Given an opportunity, your new driver might take his whole family on a weekend trip in your limousine.
But these are just minor things and, as a boss, it is your duty to supervise your men, Poles or not. Remember, the Pole will do the job. The Poles know how to work hard and I have always been surprised that their hard work, taking into account the situation of the average Pole, does not pay better off.
In addition, I think Polish people prefer to have a foreign boss; it seems they respect him/her more than they would respect their "Polish boss".
And remember in these uncertain times you know where you have the Poles. A Pole you can rely on, after all we are on the same side.
-------
Contributed by Ted 
