Powiatowy Urząd Pracy w Żorach

Powiatowy Urząd Pracy w Żorach (PUP Żory) is the county labour office operating in the city of Żory, Poland. As a public employment service, its core function is to mediate between job seekers and employers within the local labour market. The office registers individuals seeking work, assesses their qualifications, and matches them with available vacancies. It also administers unemployment benefits and provides financial support to eligible persons who have lost their jobs. In addition, PUP Żory offers vocational counselling, career guidance, and information about training programmes designed to improve employability. These services are delivered in accordance with national legislation governing labour market interventions.

The organisation serves the residents of Żory county, which comprises the city of Żory and surrounding municipalities. As a unit of the nationwide network of powiatowe urzędy pracy, it implements policies set by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. While specific staffing numbers or annual service volumes are not disclosed in the available sources, the office is recognised as a point of contact for both individuals and local businesses seeking labour market assistance. Its physical location in Żory allows it to maintain direct interaction with the community it serves. The office collaborates with regional labour offices and other public institutions to coordinate broader employment initiatives. This positioning enables PUP Żory to translate national objectives into localised actions that address regional labour market needs.

Distinguishing attributes of PUP Żory include its role as a government agency tasked with enforcing labour market regulations and delivering social protection measures at the county level. Unlike private recruitment firms, it operates without a profit motive and is funded through the state budget. The office also participates in active labour market programmes such as subsidised employment, internships, and skills development projects aimed at reducing unemployment. In March 2025, the organisation experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted data on its core servers and disrupted client services, prompting an immediate response from national cybersecurity authorities, police, and the data protection office. Recovery efforts were carried out with the support of its IT service centre, and the incident was formally reported to the relevant oversight bodies. This event underscores the importance of cybersecurity resilience for public administration entities handling sensitive personal data.