Quiet layoffs return as companies opt for discreet job cuts

Companies in Poland are increasingly resorting to "quiet layoffs," a trend that is contributing to a faster rise in unemployment figures even as large-scale group dismissals become less common. This shift means that while fewer major redundancy programs are announced, more individual employees are losing their jobs.

Piotr Kuron, a career management expert at LHH, a firm specializing in outplacement services, stated that "This is another year when we have the highest results in history." According to LHH data, the number of people undergoing outplacement programs in Poland during the first five months of 2026 was 12% higher than in the same period of the record-breaking year 2025. "Although there are fewer large group dismissal projects now, there has been an increase in individual reductions, which are not as visible in the statistics," Kuron explained.

“

This is another year when we have the highest results in history.

This trend is also reflected in data from Poland's Central Statistical Office (GUS) and the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy (MRPiPS). In the first four months of 2026, nearly 163,000 unemployed individuals registered at labor offices cited "reasons related to the workplace" for their job loss. This represents an 11% increase compared to the previous year.

The extended job search period is a significant consequence of these changes. While some sectors continue to recruit actively, the overall market appears tighter for those seeking new employment. The shift towards "quiet layoffs" makes it harder to track the true extent of job reductions, impacting both individual job seekers and the broader labor market.

“

Although there are fewer large group dismissal projects now, there has been an increase in individual reductions, which are not as visible in the statistics.