Black Friday is getting closer. Companies are struggling to find workers.

Oct 31, 2025
2 min read

This year, the countdown to Black Friday takes on a whole new dimension. Although November 28th is the central date, retail, logistics, and e-commerce are already feeling the pressure. For two key reasons.

First, demand is growing, while the supply of labor is lagging behind. A report on the employment of foreigners in Poland shows that in the first half of 2025, the number of documents legalizing work decreased by approximately 11% compared to the first half of 2024.

At the same time, the number of foreigners covered by ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) insurance has increased – indicating that although more people are working, the formalities and procedures are becoming increasingly difficult.

Secondly, we also know that young Poles are increasingly moving away from seasonal work, choosing long-term employment rather than a few weeks of casual work. This trend promises to lead to the conclusion that traditional "seasonal support" may simply not be enough.

What does this mean in practice for businesses preparing for Black Week and the holiday season? Here are some key points:

Increased order volume and service - companies operating in retail, both offline and online, as well as in logistics and warehousing, must be prepared for increased workloads.
More workers are needed for short-term assignments: packers, order pickers, warehouse workers, couriers, and seasonal salespeople.
Employment procedures for foreigners are still burdened by legislative changes – for example, the Act on Entrusting Work to Foreigners, introduced in 2025, is already changing the terms, and many employers report delays and a lack of transparency.
The younger generation of temporary workers (e.g., up to 26 years of age) is less willing to hire "for a few weeks" – offers with the possibility of longer-term cooperation and development are preferred. Companies that want to "catch" these candidates must act early – and offer more than just "a few days behind the counter."
An alternative that employers are increasingly considering are less standard groups: people aged 55+, mothers after a career break, employees returning from leave - i.e. staff that may be available if the classic professional groups fail to "conquer" the market.

If your company plans to operate during Black Week, start recruiting now. Plan your campaigns, simplify your hiring processes, and consider flexible work arrangements (e.g., shorter contracts, weekend schedules). Pay attention to procedures related to the employment of foreigners – while the intentions of these changes are good, implementation can be difficult and time-consuming.

If you ignore these aspects, you risk running out of staff at the peak of the crisis. And an unsatisfied customer rarely returns these days.