Honorary donors are entitled to two days off from work – one on the day of donating blood and the other on the following day. MP Bartosz Romowicz (Poland 2050 – Third Way) wrote in an interpellation addressed to two ministries that employers point out that “some employees abuse the rights” they are entitled to in this respect. Jerzy Szafranowicz, Deputy Minister of Health, provided an answer on this matter.
MP Bartosz Romowicz in an interpellation addressed to health ministries and family, work and social policy admitted that “there is no doubt that the purpose of these regulations (two days off – ed.) is to support an extremely important social initiative, which is blood donation. However, attention should be paid to several issues that require development” .
“Employers report that some employees abuse their rights to donate blood under the Act – two days off, thus organizing the so-called long weekend, which happens even several times a year. Sometimes there are also situations in which blood decides to donate blood from several employees of a given team at the same time (e.g. immediately before or after public holidays or during holidays). Moreover, it also happens that employees leave the workplace without prior notice to the employer, and provide blood donation certificates only after returning. – wrote the MP.
“Such activities significantly disorganize the functioning of enterprises, which often have to struggle with problems related to staff shortages. This results in the need to reorganize tasks, and often also leads to serious financial losses,” he added.
Bartosz Romowicz asked whether any changes to the regulations in this matter are planned.
“Efforts should be made to agree on a date”
Deputy Minister Jerzy Szfranowicz, in response to the interpellation, wrote that “honorary blood donation is a mission and responsibility. Blood cannot be bought or produced, that is why it is so important to donate it honorably” and to encourage and motivate society to do so.
“However, it should be noted that it is good practice to consult the employer each time you wish to donate blood and thus get a day off,” said the deputy head of the Ministry of Health.
“The blood donor should not use the right to days off for voluntary blood donation in a way that could harm the employer, e.g. deliberately choose the days with the highest workload, so efforts should be made to agree on a date that will be accepted by both the employer and the employee – the Honorary Blood Donor,” he added.
At the same time – as he pointed out – the employee should warn the employer about his/her absence if the reason for the absence is known in advance or predictable.
In summary, the deputy minister also stated that his ministry “does not conduct legislative work in this area.”
The Ministry of Family and Labor is to respond to the interpellation at a later date.
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