The easy guide to employee background checks in Poland
In this article
Hiring in Warsaw or Kraków? Wherever in Poland you're growing your team, background checks are a crucial step. Not only does a background check verify your new hire’s credentials, it can help eliminate the risks of bringing on a potential threat to your company.
But for global companies hiring employees in Poland, navigating the background check process can be daunting. In Poland, the handling of private data is strictly regulated by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Poland’s Protection of Personal Data Act. You need to know what's allowed under Polish and EU law, how you're obligated to handle and store your employees' sensitive data, and more.
If you need a guide to running comprehensive and legally compliant employee background checks in Poland, read on.
Table of Contents
Are you legally required to run background checks on Polish employees?
While not mandatory, background checks are legal in Poland but they are subject to strict limitations.
Employers are allowed to request information about job applicants that is relevant to the position including name, date of birth, contact information, qualifications, education, and employment history.
But employers should run minimal checks to make sure the worker is who they say they are: You can only request information that is directly related to the position. Requesting personal information relating to sexual orientation, ethnic background, and memberships in organizations like churches and political parties is not allowed. All requests must comply with the Polish labor code, the Polish Personal Data Protection Act, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union.
Is it legal to run background checks on Polish contractors?
Provided you have the contractor’s consent, yes—it’s legal to run background checks on contractors in Poland. You must ensure that you’re compliant with relevant privacy regulations.
Common background checks | Less common background checks |
|---|---|
Employment history | Credit reports (depends on role) |
Reference check | Social media profiles (depends on role) |
Work authorization | Driving records (depends on role) |
Education verification | Medical records (depends on role) |
| Criminal record (depends on role) |
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
Author
Doug Murray
A Vancouver-based B2B and business trends writer, Doug is a charter member of the global workforce, having lived and worked out of Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, Guatemala, Ghana and, of course, Canada.
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