robocizna

Robocizna is a Polish term describing human labor, particularly in economic, production, and contracting contexts. In everyday language it can refer to the work performed by a person or a contractor, and in accounting it denotes the cost associated with employing people to perform tasks. The term covers manual, skilled, and semi-skilled work carried out by humans.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from robota (work) with the suffix -czna, forming an abstract noun that denotes the act or cost of labor. In Polish usage, robocizna appears in phrases such as koszty robocizny (labor costs) and roboczogodzina (man-hour). It is commonly used in business, procurement, and production planning.

Costing and budgeting: In cost accounting, robocizna is a major input alongside materials and overhead. It includes wages, salaries, social security contributions, other payroll-related costs, and sometimes overtime. Labor intensity and productivity influence robocizna per unit of output, making accurate estimation important in bids, pricing, and efficiency analyses.

Terminology and distinctions: Robocizna differs from the broader concept of siła robocza (labor force) and from material costs. Robocizna implies the labor expense or the act of labor itself, whereas siła robocza refers to the pool of workers. In contracts, it can specify labor-only work or combined services with materials.

Legal and ethical notes: While robocizna is a neutral term for labor, discussions about labor practices, fair wages, and appropriate working conditions apply. In some contexts, phrases like przymusowa robocizna (forced labor) are used to indicate illegal practices; such usage is illegitimate and prohibited.