Hiring a Polish Worker - Pros and Cons

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 Pros

Although 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 Cons

The 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.

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Contributed by Ted

That's too funny! :)

Funny indeed! But I'm not sure it happens very often.
j.

fortunately not!

I have hired about 6 poles here in the US and they are very hard workers and they're always on time and never miss a day unlike alot of American youth who just don't care about their jobs. As much as I hate to say I would almost rather higher a young pole than Americans however all poles I have hired only have had a 90 day work visas :(. My family came to the US from Poland a long time ago I'm 4th generation American. Maybe the poles work harder for me because my last name :) j/k. perhaps I have had real good luck with poles and real bad luck with Americans. I'm not saying poles are harder workers and Americans they just seem to care more about having a job at this age. However I have had many good American workers and still do. The poles seem to have a higher probability that they will work hard. This is only comparing the youth about age 20-24. And one could make the argument that the poles I hired only have 90 day visas and do not have any friends here and no life outside of work and are here to only work. I myself am only 23 but I seem to share the same work ethics as my polish friends. I will travel to Poland in a week so I will see how life is really like there. I can't wait :)

I'm glad you wrote that from your own experience, Guest #5. I think you are right - Poles in general as workers are more mature, stable, and value their job more than their American peers. You made a point that it might be because they are here temporarily only, but I personally don't believe in this theory :). In Poland there's about 19% unemployment rate so that may be one of the reasons Poles value their jobs. All in all, when I take a contractor to do a job in my home and find out he's got Polish roots, I'm sure the job will be done well and on time.

I know in ireland that the first choice of any employer after an irish person is a poish person and from experiance i can say that all we have employed have been hard working and great time keepers the biggest problem is alot of polish are only here short term. so there is no point in taking there training any further to bring them up to the next level.

Sorry but i disagree with Polish workers coming to uk to work..They might be good workers but overall they are taking jobs away from uk citizens and working for half the wages they get...I know of some uk citizens that were made redundant from their workplace after being good and faithful workers for years...they then brought in Polish workers to replace them on half their wages!!!!!!!! this is disgusting...and its happening all over the uk...They can return to their homeland rich while the uk citizen stays poor...opposite my house there are 12 polish people living in a 2 bedroom flat!!!! to save money...they all have brand new cars parked outside their so called living accomadation..huh and they dont even need a licence to drive...now you tell me ...you think this is fair....i sure don't...maybe i could go to poland and see if they offer me the same facilities over there....you reckon!!!!!!!

What do you mean half of their wages? As I know there is minimum wage in England about 6 pounds so I can't belive someone was earning £12 was redundand and polish earn now £6 ? What job was it?

What is wrong with polish saving and having cars? are you jealous?
I would say that lots of English got quite lazy under Blair over "benefitted" system so some fresh blood of efficient polish workers will do only good to this country.

Just healthy capitalism- emplyee choose better worker. And unemplyment is so law in England so what's the problem? Most polish people work legally pay taxes, NI.

wat does the administator mean by poles prefering a foreign boss over a polish one?

"wat does the administator mean by poles prefering a foreign boss over a polish one?"

Administrator didn't mean anything; he only posted the article written by "Ted" :).

Poland would not be able to offer an western worker nothing, no access to medical care, unemployment benefits and I'm sure most poles would say "what are you doing here?, "go back to your own country" a western worker would not survive one day in poland.

This is not an anti polish statement, the fact is that poland does not offer a level playing field as what is offered in western countries.

I think it's a troll - the english dont use the word citizen and also dont you think it was a slight contridiction that they would live 12 to a house to save money and all have brand new cars outside!...hmmmmmmmmm ish dont think so!

Poland would not be able to offer an western worker nothing, no access to medical care, unemployment benefits and I'm sure most poles would say "what are you doing here?, "go back to your own country" a western worker would not survive one day in poland.

completely, not true.

Of course that Poland provides medical care,
unemployment benefits? You get them in England after working for a year.

Why would we say go to your own country? We have in Krakow quite a few people from Wietnam, China...they do quite well.
About west europe the problem is with salary- there are some people but employed by foreign companies (Banks, CU) and paid foreign salary otherwise they wouldn;t be attracted here as Poland has quite high unemployment and lower salary.

You seem lef to have very bad opinion about polish but as I rememebr you were not born in Poland- I can't believe taht after few visits to Poland you knwo so well our mentality.

wat does the administator mean by poles prefering a foreign boss over a polish one?

it is something about our mentality we always worry that polish boss will trick us or will not pay enough.But it is not always the case.

Well Well a lot of disbelievers here I see..Let me point out to you ..I am not in the habit of telling lies...maybe the truth hurts...and as far as jealousie is concerned...I have nothing to be jealous about..I am 52yrs old and have worked and paid my FULL stamp since i was 15yrs old..likewise my father and mother who have worked all their lives..my father fought for England in world war 2 and died at the age of 62yrs therefor never receiving his pension..my mother is £3 short in her pension...maybe i am bitter about migrants coming to the uk to work...It makes me wonder why genuine people like myself and family have contributed to this country only to make people from other countries rich...

Someone asked what the job was in connection with the polish opposite my home..it is actually in a nursing home...the other one was with a well known televison tele sales company ..and i personally know of the ladies who were made redundant and the polish people who got their jobs at a lower pay...and of course it was a job change so they could not be accused of redundancies then replacements....

They do have 12 people living in a 2 bedroom flat glad i am not underneath them ...Sorry but i stick with my opinion...we offer good to migrants and we cant get the same either here or in other countries...makes me wonder why so many fought a war so that their families come to this in the country they fought for...

quot
I think it's a troll - the english dont use the word citizen and also dont you think it was a slight contridiction that they would live 12 to a house to save money and all have brand new cars outside!...hmmmmmmmmm ish dont think so! ing ..shelley

Think what you have just written...firstly i use the word citizen because in the uk now you have to be careful what you call yourself...otherwise you are arressted for racislism...But if you want it straight to the point ..I am english with full english generations behind me...secondly ..YES they do have a lot sharing a flat ..obviously they will have new cars if there is 12 people sharing rent and bills ...Sorry but i really don't care what others think...that is my opinion and i stick with it...and its not just to the Polish workers its all migrant workers i refer to...

this will give you a kick in your bum to get more qualifications


who's fault is it the comany's or the polish workers?


this is your opinion a little bit of competition never hurts


why don't you save your money? you earn twice as much as the polish workers


hehehe, have you checked that?maybe they have some friends who visit them regularly.4 people in 2 bedroom flat is the most common thing,they would have slept on each other otherwise.


nobody stops you from taking someone to your house .you can share your bills and then you with 2times more money and shared bills will afford buying a new flashy car


of course we do!!!if they haven't got a licence call the police immidietly!
you r repeat things without checking.speak to this people do a little research and then come back and tell us about it

excuse me, a person cannot access unemployment benefits from day 1, has to be working for 12 months and on the books a person staying in poland pernamently is not covered with free hospital/medical care,,,


sorry 10 times

I'm quitting the UK as many other British citizens are... Only Uk, Ireland and Sweden opened up fully to new E.U states and boy are they paying for it...Congratulations Mr Blair.. The reason i don't think such high level of immigration helps in the UK is because, quite obviously any money being earned by Polish and other E.U members whilst living in the U.K will be sent back to Poland etc.. How can this have a positive effect on the British economy..

And whilst Polish labour may work hard, there basics skills are very poor indeed.. the decorators (or so called) are absolutely atrocious beyond belief.. Still i'm off to live in Canada where sense still apllies..

Have a nice day now..

And you can claim child benefit for children still living in Poland!! Bye bye Blair

but you will be a foreigner in canada.maybe they don't want you there?i know a polish decorator and he is brilliant.he was hired by the cheef of the local police even though he had no work permit 3 years ago and he wasn't that cheap,belive me


if your children live in france but you work in the uk are you not entitled to child benefit?the idea of EU is that if someone lives in England he or she is being treated equally.the problem is that we can not claim ANY benefits(apart from this one) before we have worked for 2 years in the UK without a break no longer than 1 month.this is why we pumped so much money into your system without taking anything.that's why your country's economy is so good now

I agree, not having a go at poles, but money earned by poles is not pumped back in the local economy....don't blame the poles. they are entitled to work in GB and where they put there money is there business...

it is .we have to eat here dress we buy cameras audio video and many more.i have been in England for almost 5 years now and most of the goods i own were buyed in England

lol:) :) :) :) most of the money you earned will be to buy the town of zamosc

I will be in Canada Because of my skills. Canada like many other countries only use people that are essential to the country and economy.. Every applicant is vetted carefully for security checks, references, qualifications etc. then it takes about 3 months to gain entry Visa's and to find a job suitable to your level of qualification.

This is an effective way to run a country.. I have not met one Polish decorator with certificates to prove their qualifications.. open border policies do not work.. People should be vetted, and then when everything is in order, welcomed with open arms..

The area i live has mass migration, all this leads to is two seperate communities and lack of integration, it is a melting pot for violence and disenchantment.. there has to be control.

You may think i am being racist here, believe me i'm not, i am just speaking logically. The current rate of migrate workers could see the UK swelling by up to 3 million people per year. For a country with 60 million people, you do the maths..

If you were in the UK for 5 years Rafik i had you had the right documents, seeing that you were not an E.U member in 2001.. Half the Polish builders i have met are still working for cash and not registered..

excuse me, a person cannot access unemployment benefits from day 1, has to be

working for 12 months and on the books Lef, What do you mean????
What do you mean by day one? Why if someone never worked has to be paid benefits? is it very moral?

a person staying in poland pernamently is not covered with free hospital/medical care,,,

Is it in Australia, USA....anywhere?

Poland is in UE so we are covered by health care as UE members the say appy for people from UE who get ill in Poland.

It is agreement between these countries.
What do you mean some stays permanently in Poland - if he is working pays taxes he is covered by helath care. If not- he needs insurance.

If I am to go to USa I need insurance as nooe will pay for me if I am ill.

Decorator,

Whom do you blame for open borders?- It is yout government decision.

I moved here four years ago as I marrried English person. I needed visa( paid for it) had interview with british consul in Warsaw. My first visa was only for a year , next was indefinite.

before we joined UE every time I was visiting Poland and coming back here I really hated stupid questions in customs like- Why do you travel on your own? -what is the purpose of this question? Am I muslim wife that I have to travel with my husband?

So I didn't enter this country so straightforward.
I think that lots polish people here boost your economy because they are overskilled for jobs they do but....yes you can't blame us for emigration politic but your government.

I do not know why you are getting angry at each other.
Poles see opportunities in England, and English see opportunities in Poland.
In time, wages and prices will reach equilibrium. It will make no difference where in Europe one will live. Job availability will be determined by one's education and skill.

no i was here without any papers but still my paki employer deducted tax and NI from my wages and i used to get 2.5 per hour.is it not unfair competition?they paid 2.5£/hour but the english employers had to pay 4.85/hour.it is still going on but there is unwritten law that the home office official don't check for illigal immigrants in ANY british restaurants.that's why indian/turkish ect restaurants win the competition with english restaurants


as a british law obiding citizen you should have reported it straight away.did you do it?

The replies I am getting back are hillarious...Are you trying to dictate to me to ? Well it wont work..myself and many others are sick of people coming to this country with skills that are no way to the standard of english skills..they get the jobs because they come cheap and without quality..As far as being told to get qualifications to compete with the Poles I am too late to do that now..my working days are over and all my national insurance money that I have contributed to the system hopefully will pay for my retirement and not for hangers on and people bleeding our system...It is the younger english generation i feel sorry for the ones that do have high qualifications and can't get jobs because of people coming into this country cheap labour and poor skills....it will be worse when the romainions get here...was the worse thing we did going into europe..we offer handouts and the rest don't....

As i said before just look how they are living 12 in one house?????

what country are you in?

myself and many others are sick of people coming to this country with skills that are no way to the standard of english skills
OK, Sounds like you're in UK
Who are "they"? The Poles?

As far as being told to get qualifications to compete with the Poles I am too late to do that now
Now if the Poles have no skills in the first sentence, how can you compete with them?

Unless "they" are from another country, adding more to the melting pot. Then it would make sense.

Marilyn,
Poles are family oriented people. 12 people living in one house is not too many.
I know that in Poland, 50 people living in one house is an average. :P

Take a look at the Hmongs from Laos living in America. Besides 50 of them living under one roof, there are 25 rabbits, 15 ducks , 34 cats, 55 kidnapped dogs, 3 snakes, 12 hamsters and a vietnamese pot-bellied pig.

And their happy.