The Polish Post (Poczta Polska) is set to undergo a significant transformation, with plans to lay off around 15 percent of its workforce — roughly 9,000 employees — as it transitions from a traditional mail service into a courier, digital, and financial services company.
CEO Sebastian Mikosz emphasized that while the layoffs are necessary, the move is part of a larger strategy to adapt to modern needs and technologies.
In an interview with Puls Biznesu, Mikosz outlined the company’s vision for the future, driven by expectations from the Polish Ministry of State Assets.
“The goal is for Poczta Polska to become self-sufficient and to no longer be reliant on government subsidies,” Mikosz explained. He recently unveiled a plan to overhaul the postal service, aiming for new revenue streams to outweigh declining traditional mail by 2027.
The shift reflects a broader trend of digital transformation and automation within the industry. Mikosz pointed out that wage costs currently make up 65 percent of the company’s expenses — much higher than the European average of 35-40 percent. As a result, he noted, cutting positions is unavoidable.
“A walk through the sorting center shows just how many jobs are outdated. Having people sort letters manually is simply inefficient,” he said.
However, Mikosz stressed that the changes will not impact postal carriers or lead to the closure of post office branches.
“Our fundamental asset remains the 20,000 postal carriers and thousands of employees who engage directly with customers,” he said.
Addressing criticism that each new CEO of Poczta Polska seems to start by criticizing their predecessors, Mikosz responded that the issues have long been known but left unaddressed.
“The transformation plan is not some personal innovation of mine. It’s largely based on the knowledge of those who have been with Poczta Polska for years,” he said.
Mikosz acknowledged the urgency of the situation: “What should have been done over seven years now needs to be completed in just seven quarters.”
