This is a result of legislation implementing the “Women on Boards” Directive entering into force. The legislation requires a gender balance on the governing bodies of companies.

Companies must achieve at least 33% representation of the underrepresented gender collectively on their management and supervisory boards, while also ensuring the presence of women on each of these bodies.

Companies are also required to adopt a gender balance policy setting out the rules for selecting candidates for positions on their governing bodies.

Candidates must be assessed on the basis of clear and non-discriminatory qualification criteria. Where two candidates are equally qualified, preference should generally be given to the candidate belonging to the underrepresented gender.

The “underrepresented gender” means the gender whose representatives hold no more than 49% of the total number of positions on the company’s governing bodies.

Companies will be required to prepare an annual report on gender representation and the measures taken to ensure gender balance.

If a company fails to comply with the recruitment or reporting requirements, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) may issue a recommendation to remedy the violations or impose a fine of up to PLN 500,000.

A candidate in respect of whom the company has breached the recruitment requirements is entitled to compensation in an amount not lower than the minimum wage, or to damages.

The legislation has been referred to the Constitutional Tribunal, but this does not suspend its effectiveness.

Find more articles in PRO HR August 2026