Poland's Debate Over Good Friday Work Holiday Continues

Discussion heats up as lawmakers reject proposal for official observance.

Poland is once again grappling with the question of whether Good Friday, celebrated by numerous Christian denominations, should be recognized as an official work holiday. April 18, 2025, is set to be the date of this significant holiday, yet it remains uncertain if Poles will have the day off to observe it religiously.

The topic gained traction when, on December 5, 2018, a petition was submitted to Parliament advocating for the establishment of Good Friday as a statutory holiday. The proposal suggested replacing the holiday on May 3 with the observance of Good Friday, which is recognized as sacred by Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, and Protestant Christians alike.

Proponents of the petition highlighted several key arguments for their request. For one, they pointed out the unique circumstances faced by parents. Educational institutions across Poland already grant students the day off on Good Friday, resulting in parents needing to arrange alternative care during work hours. "Children at school already have Good Friday off from classes, which is problematic for parents who must provide care at home for minors," noted one anonymous proponent, as reported by PulsHR. This concern resonates especially with single parents who find juggling work and child care challenging during this important religious observance.

Interestingly, the notion of Good Friday not being treated as a public holiday is not unique to Poland. It’s worth noting other European countries—such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Malta, and the United Kingdom—observe Good Friday as a public holiday. Petitioners urged Polish lawmakers to follow suit, reinforcing their argument with evidence of this widespread practice.

Despite these efforts and the cultural significance of Good Friday, the parliamentary committee dealing with petitions opted to reject the request outright. The committee members were not persuaded by the arguments laid out by the anonymous petitioner, indicating the continuing struggle to achieve recognition for this day within Polish labor laws. The decision indicates the current sentiment among lawmakers, who maintain the status quo and keep May 3 as the designated public holiday.

Currently, Poland’s official holidays remain untouched, and the list for 2025 includes several notable days off:

January 1 - New Year’s Day
January 6 - Epiphany
April 20 - Easter Sunday
April 21 - Easter Monday
May 1 - Labor Day
May 3 - Constitution Day
June 8 - Pentecost
June 19 - Corpus Christi
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1 - All Saints’ Day
November 11 - Independence Day
December 24 - Christmas Eve (newly added for 2025)
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Second Day of Christmas

While the rejection of the proposal may leave many unsettled, it reflects the complexity of holiday legislation within Poland. The matter of Good Friday as a recognized holiday demonstrates how cultural, religious, and practical concerns collide within legislative frameworks. With no immediate solutions on the horizon, Polish workers and parents look toward future sessions of the parliament with hope for reconsideration.