A discussion on the role of the middle class in Poland started with the fall of Communism at the turn of the 1990s and continues to this day. The weakness of the middle class is regarded as a significant obstacle in the modernization of the country. On the other hand, its consolidation is seen as the chance to stabilize a new political system and to continue the economic reforms initiated 20 years ago. Political elites generally agree on the necessity of creating a strong middle class, which is surprising in a highly polarized Polish society. Expectations for the emergence of a strong middle class are similar with longing for a prince charming who would shape the new social order according to the rules of democracy and a free market economy. It's important to notice that what we describe as "middle class" is a mixed community of people placed in the middle part of the social ladder. Because of such a large differentiation of this social community, the question remains: Does it make sense to promote the middle class as whole? Was the political accord in this case just a part of election rhetoric rather than real action?

Amendment act on counteracting domestic violence enacted by Polish Parliament in June 2010 has enforced a reform of the social assistance which obliged social services to cooperate in interdisciplinary teams on the municipal level. The author indicates three possible grounds for the creating of the new institution, these are: the neoconservative critics over adequacy of social transfers, the present rhetoric of social participation and the output of sociology of organizations. The article discusses some advantages and disadvantages related to operating of social services in interdisciplinary teams. The author delivers research results of functioning of an interdisciplinary team in Poland.

The article is a comparison between Polish and Spanish labour markets as well as the policies developed in both countries. These issues are presented with consideration of the employment tendencies in 2000-2009. Conducted analysis involves employment rate and structure by sex, age and education level. A detailed presentation of the unemployment factors and main problems of the labour markets in Poland and Spain, including the consequences of the last economic crisis is given. Furthermore the article describes different labour market policy measures undertaken in both countries, as well as the contribution of structural funds to the unemployment reduction.

High quality of services in residential care is one of the most important issues. Standardization of facilities can only partly solve this problem in Poland. There is a need of the continued action in this field.

Many regulations guarantee employee' representatives Access to the information regarding operation of the employer. It is indispensable element of efficient realization of their functions. In the same time the employer has a right to protect information, disclosure of which could cause him a damage. This article aims to present what are the legal instruments of protection of confidential data of employer in the Polish labour law and what is the scope of employee' representatives liability for unlawful disclosure of employers' confidential information.

Information

MIDDLE CLASS AND HIDDEN WELFARE STATE - Dariusz Zalewski
"THE NEW IS COMING BACK": ABOUT INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS - Piotr Teisseyre
LABOUR MARKETS IN POLAND AND SPAIN IN 2000-2009 - Zofia Dach, Dorota Kozina
ABOUT QUALITY OF SERVICES IN RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES - Łukasz Jurek
PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IN RELATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE' REPRESENTATIVES - Marta Derlacz-Wawrowska

THE PRECISION IS NOT ADVISABLE WHEN THE LAW MAKES HAPPY BY FORCE - Iwona Michniewicz, Romuald Michniewicz

CO-ORDINATION SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES. INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ILSS - Robert Marczak
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2010. CONFERENCE IN WARSAW - Beata Kaczyńska