Best Employment & Labor Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Employment & Labor Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Employment and labor law in Vouliagmeni is governed by Greek national legislation and European Union rules, applied locally within the wider Attica region. Vouliagmeni is part of the municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and has a strong hospitality and services economy, so issues such as seasonal work, overtime, shift scheduling, and collective agreements in tourism and catering are common. Core topics include hiring and contracts, working hours and overtime, pay and bonuses, leave and parental rights, health and safety, termination and severance, discrimination and harassment, telework, data protection, and union rights.

Key public systems and bodies include the ERGANI information system where employers must file employment data, the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate that conducts audits and handles complaints, the Public Employment Service for benefits and programs, and the social insurance fund eEFKA. Greek law sets a national minimum wage, regulates working time and rest, provides for 14 salary payments per year in many sectors, and protects workers against unfair practices and unlawful dismissals. Collective agreements at sector or enterprise level may provide more favorable terms than the statutory minimums.

This guide is general information and not legal advice. Employment outcomes depend on the specific facts of your situation and on current law and collective agreements.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may benefit from legal help when you are presented with a new contract or asked to change your existing terms, for example moving from employee to contractor, signing a probation clause, non-compete, or confidentiality agreement, or accepting a transfer to telework. A lawyer can explain the practical effects and help you negotiate fair terms.

Legal support is often needed if you are facing termination, redundancy, or pressure to resign. Greek law has strict rules on written notice, ERGANI filings, severance calculations, and payment timing. A lawyer can check validity, calculate what you are owed, and challenge unlawful or abusive dismissal.

If you have unpaid wages, overtime, holiday pay, or bonuses, a lawyer can assess evidence, calculate amounts, file a Labor Inspectorate complaint, negotiate a settlement, or bring a claim in the Athens labor courts if needed.

Victims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should seek advice on preserving evidence, making internal complaints, using the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate process, and pursuing civil or administrative remedies. Employers also seek counsel to design compliant anti-violence and harassment policies as required by law.

Businesses commonly need guidance on hiring seasonal staff in tourism, scheduling and tracking hours with the digital work card, telework policies, data protection in HR, lawful use of monitoring tools, and compliance during audits.

Non EU nationals and employers may need advice about work permits, posted worker notifications, and residence requirements, while EU nationals might seek help with social insurance and tax coordination.

Local Laws Overview

Employment contracts and hiring. Employment relationships must be recorded in the ERGANI system. Written terms are required for key aspects of employment. Fixed term contracts need objective justification and repeated renewals may convert to indefinite if limits are exceeded. Probation in indefinite term contracts is generally up to 6 months unless a shorter period is set by agreement.

Working time and overtime. The standard full time schedule is typically 40 hours per week, usually on a 5 day basis. Overtime and extended work attract premiums and are subject to daily and annual limits. Employers must record working time accurately, including through the digital work card where applicable, and must file shift changes and overtime in ERGANI according to the current rules.

Minimum wage and pay structure. Greece has a state set minimum wage. As of April 2024, the national minimum monthly wage is 830 euros gross, with sectoral collective agreements potentially providing higher rates or allowances. Many employees in Greece receive 14 payments per year, including Christmas, Easter, and vacation bonuses, governed by law and collective agreements.

Leave and family rights. Employees accrue paid annual leave that increases with service and may be higher under collective agreements. Public holidays are protected. Maternity leave is 17 weeks with a minimum postnatal period. Fathers have paid paternity leave. Each parent has an individual right to parental leave, part of which is paid according to current legislation. Flexible work and care leave rights also exist under Greek law.

Health and safety. Employers must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Code, carry out risk assessments, and appoint safety personnel where required. Special rules apply to night work, young workers, and pregnant employees.

Telework. Law provides a framework for telework, including cost coverage, equipment, health and safety, and the right to disconnect. Employers must formalize telework terms and register arrangements in ERGANI when required.

Discrimination, harassment, and violence at work. Equal treatment is protected by law. Sexual harassment and other forms of harassment are prohibited. Employers must take preventive measures. Companies over certain size thresholds must adopt and implement internal policies and complaint procedures on violence and harassment.

Termination and severance. Termination of an indefinite contract must be in writing, notified in ERGANI on time, and accompanied by the correct severance and accrued pay. Greek law does not generally require cause, but dismissals cannot be abusive or discriminatory. Severance depends on service and whether notice is given. Fixed term contracts end at expiry unless early termination is justified. Payment is typically via bank transfer and strict timing rules apply.

Collective bargaining and unions. Sectoral and enterprise collective agreements can set improved terms. Works councils and unions have rights to organize, bargain, and strike, subject to legal procedures. Certain sectors in the Attica region, including tourism and catering, follow specific sectoral agreements relevant to Vouliagmeni employers and workers.

Data protection in employment. Employers must process employee data lawfully under the GDPR and Greek implementing laws. Monitoring tools, CCTV, geolocation, and time tracking must satisfy necessity and proportionality and be communicated to staff, with impact assessments where appropriate.

Seasonal work. In the greater Vouliagmeni area, seasonal hiring in hotels, restaurants, beach services, and leisure activities is common. Sectoral collective agreements and special rules may address recall rights, scheduling, accommodation, and allowances. Employers should verify the current tourism sector agreements and register seasonal staff correctly in ERGANI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a written employment contract in Greece

Employers must provide written information about essential terms such as duties, hours, pay, workplace, and leave. Many sectors also use full written contracts. If you work without written terms, you still have legal rights, but it is harder to prove them, so ask for written confirmation and check ERGANI filings.

What is the current minimum wage

As of April 2024 the national minimum monthly wage is 830 euros gross. Some sectoral collective agreements set higher wages or allowances. Many employees also receive Christmas, Easter, and vacation bonuses that are part of the traditional 14 payment system.

How are working hours and overtime regulated

The typical full time schedule is 40 hours per week. Extended work and overtime are permitted within legal limits and pay premiums apply. Employers must record hours and notify overtime and shift changes in ERGANI as required. Certain businesses are rolling out the digital work card to track actual hours.

What paid leave am I entitled to

You accrue paid annual leave that increases with service, plus public holidays. Collective agreements can grant more leave. Leave pay and vacation bonus rules are specific, so check your sectoral agreement and your contract.

Can my employer dismiss me without cause

Greek law does not usually require cause for dismissal, but the dismissal must be in writing, not abusive or discriminatory, properly filed in ERGANI, and accompanied by the correct severance and accrued pay. Invalid procedure can make the dismissal unlawful. Seek advice promptly if you are dismissed.

How is severance calculated

Severance for indefinite contracts depends on your years of service and whether notice is given. There are statutory scales and caps. With proper notice, severance is typically lower than dismissal without notice. Payment must be timely and usually by bank transfer. Have a lawyer confirm your exact entitlement.

What are my rights around maternity, paternity, and parental leave

Birth mothers have 17 weeks of maternity leave with a minimum period after birth. Fathers have paid paternity leave. Each parent has an individual right to parental leave, with a portion paid in line with current law and benefits. Additional childcare support and flexible work rights exist. Your sectoral agreement may add benefits.

What should I do if I face harassment or discrimination at work

Keep detailed notes, save messages, and identify witnesses. Use any internal policy and complaint mechanism. You can report to the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. A lawyer can help you assess claims for damages and protective measures and guide you through confidential steps.

Am I really a contractor or am I an employee

Courts look at reality over labels. If there is personal work, subordination to employer instructions, set hours, and continuous integration into the business, the relationship may be employment even if your agreement says freelancer. Misclassification can affect pay, leave, and social insurance rights.

How do I claim unpaid wages or overtime

Gather contracts, payslips, timesheets, messages, and any ERGANI or digital work card records. Write to your employer requesting payment. You may file a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate for mediation and inspection, and if needed bring a claim in the Athens labor courts. Short limitation periods may apply, so act quickly.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for national employment policies, minimum wage decisions, and guidance.

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate for complaints, audits, and information about working time, pay, safety, and harassment procedures in the Attica region.

ERGANI information system for employer filings related to hiring, schedules, overtime, and terminations.

Public Employment Service DYPA for unemployment benefits, training, and the special maternity protection program.

eEFKA for social insurance registrations, contributions, and benefits.

Hellenic Data Protection Authority for guidance on employee data, monitoring, and workplace privacy.

Greek Ombudsman for discrimination and equal treatment issues in employment.

Organization for Mediation and Arbitration OMED for collective bargaining disputes and mediation resources.

Athens Bar Association for finding licensed employment law attorneys serving Vouliagmeni and the southern suburbs.

Citizen Service Centers KEP in the municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni for guidance on documents and public services access.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals and timeline. Write down what happened, when it happened, who was present, and what you want to achieve, such as payment of wages, reinstatement, or a negotiated exit. Note any upcoming deadlines or scheduled meetings.

Collect documents. Gather your contract, any amendments, ERGANI receipts or screenshots, payslips, time records, emails, messages, medical notes, and company policies. Save files securely and make a copy for your lawyer.

Check your collective agreement and sector rules. If you work in tourism, catering, retail, or services common in Vouliagmeni, sectoral agreements may improve your rights on pay, scheduling, and seasonal work.

Seek a consultation with a local employment lawyer. Ask about experience with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, ERGANI disputes, seasonal work, and the Athens labor courts. Discuss strategy, chances of success, and settlement options. Request a written fee estimate.

Consider administrative steps. Some cases benefit from filing a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate before going to court. This can prompt compliance or lead to mediated solutions. Your lawyer can advise on the best order of actions.

Protect your position during employment. Keep communications professional, avoid resigning under pressure, and do not sign documents without understanding them. If asked to sign, request time to review and seek legal advice.

Mind limitation periods. Wage and overtime claims, discrimination claims, and dismissal challenges can have short deadlines. Prompt action preserves your rights.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For tailored guidance in Vouliagmeni or elsewhere in Attica, consult a qualified employment lawyer who can assess your specific facts and the most recent legal developments and collective agreements.