1. What are the minimum wage laws in Greece?

Greece’s minimum wage is currently set at €861.00 per month, and €4.96 per hour for full-time employees. This rate is increased annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, workers in Greece are entitled to statutory vacation pay and additional payments for overtime work, night shifts, and Sundays.

2. Are there any restrictions for overtime work in Greece?

Yes, there are restrictions for overtime work in Greece. Overtime work must generally not exceed two hours per day and 120 hours per year. Additionally, employees must be compensated for working overtime with an additional 25% of their regular hourly wage.

3. Are worker’s rights to sick leave and other vacation days guaranteed in Greece?

Workers in Greece are guaranteed sick leave and vacation days in accordance with the Law on the Organization of Working Time (Law No. 3421/2005). According to the law, workers are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave and 11 days of paid sick leave. Additionally, workers may be entitled to other types of special leave, such as family leave, military leave, and maternity/paternity leave, depending on their situation.

4. What is the maximum number of hours a worker can be made to work in Greece?

In Greece, the maximum number of hours a worker can be made to work is 40 hours per week. This applies to all workers with a standard employment contract, and the normal working hours should not exceed 8 hours per day.

5. Does Greece have any laws governing parental leave for employees?

Yes, Greece does have laws governing parental leave for employees. The Greek Social Security Law provides for parental leave of 16 weeks for each birth, adoption or foster care. This leave is granted to the mother or the father of the child, provided that the other parent is not also taking parental leave. The parent may take the leave up to 24 months after the birth of the child and must take a minimum of 8 weeks. The parent must also provide proof of employment and have been employed in the past 12 months. The parental leave is paid at 66% of the employee’s wages, up to a maximum of €356 per week.

6. What are the requirements for employers to provide medical insurance for their staff in Greece?

In Greece, employers who have 11 or more staff members are required to provide insurance coverage for their employees. The employer’s contributions to the employee’s health insurance costs must be equal to at least 50% of the total health insurance cost. The employee is responsible for the remaining 50% of the cost. The employer is also required to provide additional benefits such as sickness leave, maternity leave, and other social benefits. For employers with 10 or fewer staff members, there are no specific requirements for providing health insurance.

7. How is severance pay calculated in Greece?

In Greece, severance pay is most often calculated based on the employee’s years of service, salary level, and the type of termination. Severance pay is typically calculated as one or two months’ salary for each year of service, up to a maximum of 12 months’ salary. For example, an employee with five years of service who earns €2,000 per month may be entitled to 10 months’ salary in severance pay.

8. What are the labor laws related to termination and dismissal procedures in Greece?

In Greece, termination of employment is regulated by the Greek Labor Code, which provides for the right to terminate employment contracts under certain specified conditions. Termination of employment without just cause is prohibited, and employees affected by such a dismissal must be compensated for damages. To terminate an employment contract in Greece, an employer must provide written notice of their intention to do so and must specify the reasons for the dismissal. The notice must be sent to the employee and to the Greek Labor Inspectorate. There are strict requirements regarding the forms of notice that must be used and the time-frame for service of the documents. An employer may not terminate an ongoing employment contract without a valid legal reason and without having served prior written notice to the employee at least one month in advance. The employee has the right to challenge a dismissal in court if they believe it was unfair or unjustified. An employee who has been dismissed unfairly or without due cause may lodge a complaint with the Labor Inspectorate or bring an action before the court for damages as compensation for their loss.

9. Does Greece have any restrictions on how much employers can deduct from an employee’s paycheck?

Yes, Greece has restrictions on how much employers can deduct from an employee’s paycheck. According to the Greek Labour Code (Law 4126/2013) and the relevant provisions issued by the Ministry of Labour, Social Insurance and Social Solidarity, employers are not allowed to deduct more than 10% of a worker’s gross income. This is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as when the employee has terminated his or her employment contract prematurely or has received salary advances from the employer. Any deductions over the 10% limit must be agreed upon with the employee beforehand.

10. Are there any restrictions on employers requiring workers to take drug tests in Greece?

Yes. According to Greek labor laws, employers may only require drug testing of employees if it is necessary for the performance of their duties or when there is a legitimate concern that the employee is using drugs. Employers must also inform employees in advance that they will be tested and must also provide the results of the test to the employee.

11. Are there any labor laws regarding discrimination based on gender, race, age, or religion in Greece?

Yes, there are labor laws in Greece that protect against discrimination based on gender, race, age, and religion. The Equality Act (Law No. 4443/2016) prohibits any form of discrimination based on these characteristics. The Act applies to all employers, both public and private, and covers the recruitment process, terms of employment, remuneration, working conditions, promotion opportunities, training and development, and dismissal. The Act also provides for specific protection for pregnant women and persons with disabilities.

12. Are there any prohibitions against employers asking for personal information from their employees in Greece?

Yes, there are prohibitions against employers asking for personal information from their employees in Greece. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), employers are only allowed to process the personal data of their employees for specific tasks related to the functioning of the company. They must also provide employees with clear information about the data they collect, how it will be used, and the rights that they have regarding their personal data.

13. Is collective bargaining allowed in Greece?

Collective bargaining is allowed in Greece, and is regulated under the Greek Labour Code. The Code sets out the legal framework for collective bargaining, providing for the rights and obligations of trade unions and employers in respect of collective bargaining agreements.

14. What are the rules governing vacation and holiday pay in Greece?

In Greece, vacation and holiday pay is governed by the Greek Labour Code. The Code allows for workers to receive up to five weeks of paid vacation per year, as well as up to three days of public holidays. Employees are entitled to one month advance notice before taking holidays, as well as pay in lieu of holiday days taken if they were not used. Furthermore, employees who have worked at least 12 months are entitled to an additional 12 days off with full pay. Additionally, employees who work night shifts are entitled to a special supplement for working at night.

15. Is there a legal requirement for employers to provide safety equipment and training to their staff in Greece?

Yes, employers in Greece are required by law to provide safety equipment and training to their staff. The law is set out in Article 8 of Law No. 3304/2005, which states that employers must ensure the safety and health of workers when they are at work. This includes providing the necessary equipment and training to ensure that the workplace is safe and free of hazards.

16. Does Greece have any laws concerning workplace harassment and bullying?

Yes, Greece does have laws concerning workplace harassment and bullying. According to the Greek Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity, employers are forbidden from subjecting their employees to harassment, bullying or discrimination. Employers must also put in place measures to prevent such behavior. In addition, employees can file a complaint to the Labour Inspectorate or seek legal recourse if they experience workplace harassment or bullying.

17. Is overtime pay mandatory in Greece?

No, overtime pay is not mandatory in Greece. The Greek Labor Code states that overtime work may be requested by the employer, provided that it is paid in addition to the regular salary and is in compliance with legal limits.

18. What are the laws regarding working hours for non-adults in Greece?

In Greece, the minimum age of employment is 15 years old and the maximum number of hours per week for non-adults aged 15-16 is 28 hours. For those aged 17-18, the maximum number of hours is 40 hours per week.

For those aged 15-18, the daily working hours are limited to between 6am and 10pm. Breaks for meals must be at least one hour long.

Non-adult workers are also not allowed to work during school hours or perform hazardous work.

19. Are employers required to provide meal and rest breaks for their workers in Greece?

Employers in Greece are not required to provide meal and rest breaks for their workers. However, the Greek Labor Code states that any worker who works continuously for six hours or more must be granted a rest period of at least fifteen minutes. In addition, workers are also entitled to one hour of break after four hours of work.

20. Are there any labor laws specifically designed to protect citizens and green card holders in Greece?

Yes, there are labor laws that protect citizens and green card holders in Greece. These include laws that protect workers from exploitation, unfair working conditions, discrimination and health and safety risks. Additionally, the Greek Labor Code provides specific protections for employees in certain sectors such as civil servants, agricultural workers and domestics. The Greek Constitution also safeguards the rights of laborers to organize and bargain collectively.