On 19 May 2026, the 6th National Forum of Workers' Councils will be held in the prestigious Column Hall of the Polish Parliament – 1 of the most crucial events devoted to the function of employees in companies.
Event organised by Civic Innovation Accelerator in cooperation with the Institute for civilian Affairs and ESG PRO is of a unique, jubilee nature this year – It is precisely 20 years since the bill passed information and consultation of employees, commonly referred to as the Staff Boards Act (7 April 2006).
Over 100 people have reported their share. The number of seats is limited – the order of applications is decided. Participation is free of charge. We encourage you to registry quickly.
– 20 years ago, the Sejm gave employees a tool for real impact on their workplace. present we ask: are we utilizing this tool? The Forum is expected to show applicable examples of how worker councils can become a real partner for the employer, not just a statutory formality," he says. Rafał Górski, president of the Board of the Institute for civilian Affairs.
During the Forum you will learn, among others, how to talk to your employer to be taken seriously, how to set up a board of employees in your company, and what solutions truly work in another organizations – adds Górski.
– We want to show how in practice employees can actually strengthen their companies' competitive advantage. We want to encourage workers and employers to establish worker Councils 2.0 – notes Mariusz Juror, a staff council expert from the Civic Accelerator of Innovation.
Programme of the 6th worker Council Forum – lots of practice
10:15–10:45
Opening of the Forum – 20 years of the Act
Rafał Górski, president of the Board, Institute of civilian Affairs
10:45-11:00
Welcome
Vladimir Czarzasty*, Marshal of the Polish Parliament
Joanna Wicha, MP of the Left
11:00-12:30
Panel I: Staff Council 2.0 – a real partner in company improvement
How to build a strong council position as a partner for the board? What function can the council play in the strategy of the company and in building a competitive advantage?
Participants:
- Karolina Wozniczko, Director, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy,
- Janusz Trupinda, Director, Malbork Castle Museum,
- Aleksandra Nowacka-Leverton, Vice President, De Gruyter Brill,
- Witold Buraczyński, Expert, ESG PRO.
13:30–15:00
Panel II: Effective staff council in practice
Experience of members of staff councils from all over Poland – what works and what does not work in the regular work of the council.
Members of staff councils including:
- Lincoln electrical Bester,
- the Malbork Castle Museum,
- ArcelorMittal SSC,
- Roman Rostek, Centre for the Support of Workers' Councils.
The programme besides includes:
- two questions and answers sessions involving the public,
- the anticipation of exchanging experience with practices,
- networking with people curious in the subject of worker councils.
For whom is this event?
- Workers' council members.
- People who want to take advice in their company.
- Representatives of HR boards and departments.
- All curious in a real dialog worker – employer.
– The Forum will participate closely 200 people from all over Poland. It will be an excellent chance to exchange experiences, networking and get circumstantial tools. If you want to have more influence on what happens in your work – it is simply a good time to take the first step – it encourages Mariusz Juror.
Each associate of the Forum will receive a free publication “Technology unemployment. Facts and myths”, in which experts look at the real threats of automation, AI and algorithmic management, and look for answers to the question of how to prepare employees and organisations for upcoming technological changes. The publication includes interviews with Prof. Małgorzata Jacino from the University of Warsaw, Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz, advisor to the president of Poland and Dr. Henryka Bochniarz from the Confederation of Leviathan.
Participation in the Forum is free of charge.
Are you afraid to comment or ideas in the company? In Poland many employees are silent – they are afraid of the reaction of the manager. There's a solution. In companies of 50 you can appoint a board of employees. Thanks to her, you have the right to comment, ideas and innovations straight to the board, ignoring your superior. This gives you anonymity and a sense of safety – your voice can yet get to where it truly matters. The board of employees is simply a simple, legal way of realising the company. You don't gotta keep your mouth shut anymore, he says. Rafał Górski.
Mariusz Juror adds: – Dear Members of the Management Board – if you are looking for a real origin of competitive advantage, invaluable operational data from the first line and a way to importantly reduce rotation and waste – come to the Forum. The Staff Council of Model 2.0 can become your interior Task Force, which provides a concrete, measurable return on investment and helps build a company where employees truly feel partners.
Organizers:
Civic Innovation Accelerator
ESG PRO
Institute of civilian Affairs
Media patronage have so far:
PAP, HR Poland, Week of civilian Affairs, Employers’ brand, ESG trends, ESG compass, New Citizen.
