Randstad: Trust and workplace relationships key to job satisfaction for Polish employees

According to the Randstad Workmonitor 2025 survey, more than half of Poles (55%) would leave their job if they no longer trusted their boss, with 38% having already made such a decision in the past. These figures surpass the global averages of 52% and 31%, respectively. The survey also reveals that a strong sense of community and freedom of opinion are crucial factors influencing motivation among Polish employees. Seventy-nine percent of respondents stated that they perform better when they feel a sense of belonging with their colleagues, while 55% valued the ability to fully express themselves at work.

The survey, which included responses from 27,000 employees across 34 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, highlights the importance of workplace relationships in fostering a sense of belonging. Eighty percent of Polish employees emphasized the significance of daily interactions at work, closely aligning with the global average of 83%. Additionally, 79% reported that good relationships with colleagues enhance their well-being and job performance, although this is slightly lower than the global figures of 85% and 84%. The data also indicates that 65% of Polish employees maintain contact with their colleagues outside of work, compared to 69% globally.

Workplace atmosphere plays a crucial role in employee retention, with 43% of Polish workers stating they would leave their job if the work environment became toxic, a sentiment shared by 44% of respondents worldwide. Furthermore, 34% of Poles would accept lower pay in exchange for having a close-knit group of colleagues, while 30% expressed a desire for more personal fulfillment at work. Employees in Poland highly value their relationships with their superiors, with the majority indicating that a loss of trust in their employer would prompt them to resign. The survey also found that 50% of respondents would have greater trust in their bosses if employment conditions were more personalized, such as through flexible work arrangements or additional benefits, a figure slightly lower than the global average of 56%.

Job stability remains a top priority for employees in Poland, with 87% highlighting its importance, surpassing the global figure of 83%. Salary is also a key concern, with 84% of Polish workers citing it as a critical factor compared to 82% globally. Work-life balance is equally important, with 83% of respondents both in Poland and worldwide recognizing its significance.

The survey also found that a lack of workplace flexibility is a dealbreaker for many Polish employees. Thirty-three percent admitted to resigning recently due to inflexible working conditions, slightly above the global average of 31%. Additionally, 40% of respondents would reject a job offer that does not provide flexible hours, and 32% would decline an offer without remote work options. However, Polish employees appear to be slightly less demanding in this regard than their global counterparts, where 47% and 39% respectively would turn down such offers.

Values alignment with employers also plays a role in employment decisions, with 42% of Poles stating they would not accept a job if the organization’s values did not align with their own, a figure lower than the global average of 48%. Moreover, 43% of Polish respondents indicated they would resign if they disagreed with the views of their organization’s leaders, closely matching the global average of 44%. Interestingly, Polish employees rate their workplace freedom of expression higher than their global peers, with 55% stating they feel they can fully be themselves at work, compared to just 38% globally.