Donating blood is not only a gesture of solidarity, but also the employee's right to a day off. In accordance with the provisions of the Polish Labour Code and the Act on Public Blood Service, an honorary blood donor has the right to leave from work while retaining the right to remuneration. In this article, we explain who is entitled to a day off for donating blood, what documents must be presented and how to plan an employee's absence in the Time Harmony system, which allows you to define any type of leave – including those resulting from special employee rights.
Legal basis – Labour Code and Act on Public Blood Service
Pursuant to Article 9(1)(1) of the Act of 22 August 1997 on the Public Blood Service, an honorary blood donor is entitled to leave from work on the day of donating blood and on the following day, as well as for the time necessary for medical examinations. On the other hand, Section 2(1) of the Act guarantees that the employee retains the right to remuneration for such a day.
In practice, this means that:
- the employee is entitled to a full day off on the day he or she donates blood and on the following day
- this absence does not reduce the amount of holiday leave and does not adversely affect the working time records,
- The basis for justifying the absence is a certificate from the blood donation unit.
A worker who donates blood is entitled to a paid day off. A certificate from the blood donation center is required, and this day does not reduce the holiday leave.
Who is entitled to a day off for donating blood?
Every employee employed under an employment contract is entitled to a two-day leave from work – regardless of the full-time employment or position. The condition is to present a confirmation of donating blood or its components. From 2021, this also applies to people donating plasma from COVID-19 convalescents.
Every employee employed under an employment contract is entitled to two days off – it is enough to provide a certificate from the Regional Centre for Competition and Treatment or another authorized unit.
Time Harmony – flexible management of leave types
In the Time Harmony system, each employer can independently define the types of leaves and other absences of employees, in accordance with the applicable law and internal regulations of the company. For example, you can create a separate category in the system:
👉 "Day off – blood donation", which allows for precise planning and recording of this type of sick leave.
Allows:
- the HR department can easily mark the absence as a blood donation exemption,
- the system automatically takes this absence into account in the schedule, record cards and working time settlements,
- the employer gains full transparency of HR data,
- Shift staffing planning becomes more efficient.
The system also allows you to add other non-standard absences – such as training leave, a day off for vaccination or time off for company events – which significantly increases the flexibility of working time management.
In Time Harmony, you can add your own type of leave – e.g. a day off for blood donation. The system will include it in the schedule, records and reports, without the need for manual modifications.
Why use Time Harmony when scheduling blood donation exemptions?
Proper planning of employee absences is crucial to maintain operational continuity. With Time Harmony, you can:
- quick submission and acceptance of applications for a day off for blood donation,
- integration with work schedules – the system automatically recalculates working time standards and resource availability,
- compliance with the Labour Code and full HR documentation.
Time Harmony not only supports compliance, but also strengthens organizational culture by giving employees the tools to effectively communicate their authority.
Time Harmony automates the planning of absences resulting from employee rights. It helps to maintain compliance with the law and takes care of the continuity of processes in the company.
Summary
Blood donation entitles the employee to a day off with remuneration. It is the employer's responsibility to properly document and account for such absence. In the Time Harmony system, each employer can define the types of leave – including a day off for donating blood – which allows for efficient planning of schedules and keeping records of working time in accordance with the regulations.
Do you want to better manage your working time in your company?
Contact us and see how Time Harmony supports compliance and makes the daily work of the HR department easier.
Both legal regulations and IT tools – such as Time Harmony – support the efficient management of blood donation days. This is a benefit for the employee and an improvement for the employer.

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