Starting July 1, Greece is introducing the six-day working week at a time when there is growing momentum worldwide toward a 4-day working week.
Under the new labor law workers in the private sector could be going into the office six days a week—as the 48-hour workweek goes into effect.
Select industrial and manufacturing facilities, along with businesses that provide 24/7 services, are eligible to extend the workweek beyond five days. Foodservice and tourism workers are not included in the longer workweeks.
The change to the labor law was approved last September following productivity issues in the country, which have led many workers to put in extra hours and often not be compensated for the time. Officials also note there has been a shortage of skilled workers due to a shrinking population.
The government claimed that the new labor law incorporates EU directives into Greek law and is a way of combating undeclared work, offering flexibility and boosting employment in general.
Workers who do put in the extra time will receive 40 percent extra during the additional eight hours—and 115 percent of their normal salary if they work on a holiday.
Employers who decide to embrace the 48-hour workweek will be required to notify employees at least 24 hours before the shift begins. No additional overtime beyond the eight hours is allowed.
Employers will be able to offer new workers a probationary period of up to six months and dismiss them during the first year without compensation or notice unless otherwise agreed.
In addition, those who prevent workers from going to work during strikes will be punished with fines.
New working week law in Greece creates “barbaric” conditions
The new rules were met with angry reactions by the opposition and trade unions. The day before the bill was passed, public sector workers, such as teachers, doctors, and transportation workers, walked off the job in protest, calling the overhaul an affront to workers’ rights that could create “barbaric” conditions.
While the 40-hour work week is still officially in place, employers are permitted to require staff to work up to two unpaid hours per day for a limited period in return for more free time.
In theory, this additional work is voluntary. In reality, however, workers in many businesses and workplaces are forced to work longer hours without receiving any form of compensation.
Opponents say that the new law will make the six-day workweek a common practice as labor inspections are “practically non-existent” in Greece. The unions criticize the law for watering down the eight-hour day and the five-day week.
“The new draft law imposes 13 hours of work per day and 78 hours of work per week,” said the Merchant Marine Union. “It abolishes breaks at work and weekends.”
Workers in Greece already work more than those in the US and most of Europe. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes Greeks worked an average of 1,886 hours in 2022, compared to 1,811 in the U.S. and the European Union average of 1,571.
Greece resists the trend for a four-day working week
Greece’s unorthodox approach to labor comes as many other regions are experimenting with a four-day workweek.
Studies suggest a 4-day week can lead to reduced stress, better work-life balance, and increased happiness for employees. This can translate to better health and a stronger sense of well-being overall.
It can also lead to increased productivity as the pressure to be efficient and focused during work hours can lead employees to get more done in less time
Studies have also shown that a 4-day work week can be a major perk for attracting and retaining top talent. It signals a company’s commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being.
Last year, the results of the world’s largest trial of the shorter schedule showed workers who put in four days were just as productive as they were during a five-day week. The nonprofit that ran the pilot program called it a “resounding success on virtually every dimension.”
Places like Iceland, Ireland, and Spain have all had trials with promising results. Ireland’s pilot program, for instance, involved 17 companies and showed a decrease in employee stress and burnout.
Last March, one member of California’s legislature floated legislation for a 32-hour workweek to become national law, with the backing of the AFL-CIO and the Economic Policy Institute. The bill failed to find traction.