Poland ranked twelfth in an EU report on hours spent at work per week, writes Rzeczpospolita.

Press reviewed by Alicja Baczynska

Poles work less, although they earn more, writes Rzeczpospolita, citing the findings of a recent survey carried out by EU agency Eurofound. Contrary to popular belief, Poles are not really overworked, and are no longer willing to do overtime. They work less than many other European countries, such as Bulgaria, Romania, and some of the wealthier states such as Britain, Germany and Austria. According to data published by the agency, full-time employees spend 40 hours and 24 minutes at work per week, which is about a quarter of an hour less than in 2006. This change of heart may be attributed to higher pay, which has on average increased by 8 percent. Also, rapid economic growth, and economic migration to the West has forced employers to alter their policies in order to attract and retain workers.

Meanwhile, Gazeta Wyborcza gives insight into the promotion system for teachers following a report conducted by the Supreme Chamber of Control, which shows that the system is badly in need of changes. It takes about ten years to reach the top of the career ladder. Over 80 percent of teachers are soon to make it to this stage, which offers no perspectives for further professional development or higher pay. And this could be pretty demotivating. Also, the promotion system has nothing to do with the students’ progress. The chamber’s findings have already indicated that less-qualified teachers are more effective, and driven in their work. Another report issued by the chamber focused on students themselves, who, it turns out, take drugs less frequently, drink less alcohol than in previous years, yet on the other hand, they skip school more often. Moreover, collaboration between schools and local governing bodies aimed at countering such problems has proved to be highly inefficient.

Each morning, and afternoon drivers get stuck in traffic jams across Warsaw due to repair and construction works on numerous streets in the city, writes Zycie Warszawy. These road works both planned for September and postponed from the summer have contributed to making driving a true nightmare in the capital. Yet there are ways of reducing traffic congestion. Both drivers and experts believe that reprogramming the traffic light system might do the trick, as this would increase throughput by 10 to 15 percent. The one man responsible for traffic organization, who could make this work, that is the Warsaw traffic engineer, is… away on vacation. In an interview with the newspaper, he was quoted as saying, “once I’m back from my holidays, I’ll think of something.” That, however, would be a bit too late, as most of the works will be completed by then, which means drivers are left to their own devices. The paper therefore proposes a handful of tips including carpooling and a good deal of driver courtesy, and also hints at switching onto public transport, as according to experts one bus can replace as many as 40 cars.