If an employer breaks the rules on procedure, notice periods or related severance pay for dismissals or the rules of collective dismissals (within 30 days, dismissals of at least 10 employees in companies with 20-99 workers, at least 10% in firms with 100-299 employees or 30 dismissals in larger companies), employees may (individually) file a complaint  to the labour court. The type of claim depends on the type of labour contract. On the basis of article 45 of the Labour Code, if an employee has an indefinite contract he/she can choose between receiving financial compensation (1-3 month salary) or claim reinstatement of the labour contract. On the basis of article 50 of the Labour Code, an employee on a fixed-term contract may only receive financial compensation (1-3 month salary). 

If the employer does not perform the obligation to consult with the trade union, it can be seen as hindering trade union activities (article 35 of the act on trade unions)  and he/she is subject to a fine or penalty of restriction of liberty. This penalty generally is up to 2,000 zloty (about €480) and, in special situations, up to 5,000 zloty (about €1,200) if imposed by the labour inspectorate or 10,000 (€2,400) to 30,000 zloty (€7,200) if imposed by the court.

Article 218 of the Criminal Code has some significance in this respect and paragraph 1a states that 'whoever, when performing activities in the field of labour law and social security, maliciously or persistently performs violation of employees' rights resulting from employment or social security, is subject to a fine, penalty of restriction of liberty or penalty of imprisonment of up to 2 years.'