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Employment rights in Agia Paraskevi are governed by Greek national labour and social security law, supplemented by collective agreements and European Union regulations where applicable. Agia Paraskevi is part of the Athens metropolitan area, so most legal and administrative procedures follow the same rules and use the same institutions as in greater Athens. Employment law in Greece covers the formation and termination of employment relationships, working time and rest, pay and social insurance, health and safety, anti-discrimination protections, family leave entitlements and procedures for resolving disputes.
In practice, this means both employees and employers must follow statutory rules, sectoral collective agreements and written or verbal employment contracts. Public and private sector employment may have different procedural rules and protections, and rights are enforced through a mix of administrative bodies, labour inspectors, and specialised labour courts.
Employment disputes often involve technical legal rules, strict deadlines, and procedures that affect outcomes. You may need a lawyer if you face:
- Unfair dismissal or contested termination - where you believe your dismissal was unlawful or lacked proper notice or severance.
- Unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, or withheld benefits - including unpaid bonuses, holiday pay or social security contributions.
- Discrimination or harassment at work - based on gender, race, religion, disability, age or other protected grounds.
- Problems with fixed-term, part-time or temporary contracts - including unlawful contract renewals or disguised employment.
- Redundancy and collective dismissals - where proper procedures and consultation may not have been followed.
- Health and safety violations or workplace accidents - including issues with employer liability and workers compensation coverage through social insurance funds.
- Disputes over working time, shift arrangements and overtime calculation.
- Problems with social security registration and contributions - including cases of undeclared work or incorrect EFKA contributions.
- Need for negotiation, settlement or representation in court or before administrative bodies - including mediation or conciliation attempts.
A lawyer with experience in Greek labour law can assess your case, explain your rights, help gather and present evidence, meet procedural deadlines and represent you before labour courts or administrative bodies.
Key aspects of local law relevant for employment rights in Agia Paraskevi include the following general points:
- Employment relationship types - Greek law recognises indefinite-term contracts, fixed-term contracts, part-time contracts, seasonal contracts and temporary agency work. Each type has different rules on duration, renewal and termination.
- Notice and termination - Termination procedures and notice periods depend on contract type, length of service and applicable collective agreements. Dismissals must comply with statutory requirements and may be challenged if they are discriminatory or procedurally unfair.
- Wages and pay protections - Employers must pay agreed wages and comply with statutory minimums set by law or collective agreements. Employers are also required to make social insurance contributions to EFKA for employees.
- Working time and overtime - Standard working hours, rest breaks and overtime compensation are regulated by law and collective bargaining. Overtime is typically compensated at higher pay rates unless otherwise provided by a valid collective agreement.
- Leave entitlements - Employees are entitled to annual paid leave, sick leave and family-related leave. Special protections apply for pregnancy and maternity, and for employees who need to care for young children or dependent family members.
- Health and safety - Employers must ensure a safe working environment and comply with occupational health and safety obligations, including risk assessments and training.
- Anti-discrimination and harassment - Greek law and EU directives protect employees from discrimination and harassment at work. Complaints can be brought before administrative bodies or courts.
- Social insurance and benefits - Employment is linked to social insurance contributions administered by EFKA. These contributions determine employee access to healthcare, sickness benefits, pensions and unemployment benefits.
- Enforcement and dispute resolution - The Labour Inspectorate enforces administrative rules and can investigate complaints. Employment disputes generally go to specialised labour courts, but alternative procedures such as mediation or conciliation may also be available.
No. Employers must follow statutory procedures when dismissing employees. A dismissal without a lawful reason may be challenged as unfair or unlawful, especially where it violates anti-discrimination rules or contractual protections. You should document the dismissal, request written reasons and consult a lawyer promptly to assess whether the dismissal can be contested.
Start by gathering written evidence - pay slips, employment contract, bank statements and communications with your employer. Send a written request to your employer asking for payment and proof of social security contributions. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate and seek legal advice about civil claims for unpaid wages and social insurance recovery.
Notice periods depend on the employment contract, length of service and applicable collective agreements. Many contracts and agreements set minimum notice periods that increase with years of service. Because rules vary, check your written contract and consult a lawyer to confirm the correct notice period and any entitlement to pay in lieu of notice.
Yes. Greek law and EU directives prohibit discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy and other protected grounds. Protection covers hiring, conditions of employment, promotion and termination. If you believe you have been discriminated against, gather evidence and seek legal advice to explore administrative complaints and court options.
Employees who are pregnant or on maternity leave enjoy special protections under Greek law. Employers must respect pregnancy-related leave entitlements and cannot lawfully dismiss an employee for reasons related to pregnancy or maternity. There are statutory maternity leave periods and job protection during leave. Check your contract, collective agreement and social insurance entitlements, and consult a lawyer for clarification.
Yes. Repeated renewals of fixed-term contracts may indicate that the position is effectively permanent. Greek courts and labour authorities can reclassify a fixed-term employment relationship as indefinite-term if the renewals are abusive. A lawyer can assess whether renewals were lawful and advise on potential claims for the rights and benefits of an indefinite-term employee.
Bring all relevant documents - your employment contract, payslips, bank records showing salary payments, communications with your employer, any disciplinary notices, termination letter if applicable, and any evidence of discrimination or harassment. A clear timeline of events and names of witnesses is also helpful. This allows the lawyer to quickly evaluate your case and recommend next steps.
The Labour Inspectorate investigates workplace violations such as unpaid wages, undeclared work and health and safety breaches. They can inspect workplaces, order remedial measures and impose fines. Administrative complaints often have specific procedural requirements and deadlines, so it is advisable to seek legal guidance before or when lodging a complaint.
Yes. Employment claims are subject to strict time limits. Administrative complaints can have short deadlines and civil claims also have limitation periods. Because these time limits can affect your ability to recover rights or compensation, contact a lawyer or an adviser as early as possible to avoid missing important deadlines.
Alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation or conciliation can resolve many employment disputes without full litigation. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf, propose settlement terms and represent you in mediation sessions. These options can be faster and less costly than court, but you should obtain legal advice to understand whether a settlement is fair and protects your rights.
Below are key local and national bodies and organisations that can assist or provide information on employment rights in Agia Paraskevi:
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - national authority responsible for labour policy and regulation.
- Labour Inspectorate - administrative body that enforces labour standards, occupational health and safety, and undeclared work rules.
- EFKA - Unified Social Security Fund - handles social insurance registration, contributions and benefits administration.
- Greek Ombudsman - handles complaints against public sector employers and certain broader administrative issues.
- Athens Labour Courts - specialised courts that hear employment disputes for the Athens area.
- Athens Bar Association - register of qualified lawyers where you can search for labour law specialists.
- Trade unions and federations - national and sectoral unions can provide support, advice and representation in collective matters.
- Municipal social services in Agia Paraskevi - local support services that may offer initial guidance or referrals for legal assistance.
- Non-governmental organisations and legal clinics - may provide free or low-cost legal advice under specific eligibility rules.
If you need legal assistance with an employment rights issue in Agia Paraskevi, follow these practical steps:
- Collect evidence - preserve your employment contract, payslips, bank statements, written communications, disciplinary records and any medical or witness evidence.
- Request written clarification - if an employer has made a decision affecting your rights, ask for a written explanation and keep a copy.
- Seek initial advice - contact a labour law specialist for a case evaluation. Use the Athens Bar Association to find a qualified local lawyer if you do not already have one.
- Consider enforcement routes - depending on your case you may file an administrative complaint with the Labour Inspectorate, seek mediation or start court proceedings. Your lawyer will advise on the best route.
- Act quickly - be mindful of possible time limits for administrative claims and civil actions. The sooner you obtain legal advice, the better your chances of preserving evidence and legal remedies.
- Explore funding - ask your lawyer about fee structures, potential legal aid or union support. Some organisations offer free initial consultations or pro bono assistance for eligible applicants.
- Keep records and follow advice - maintain a clear timeline and copies of all documents and follow any procedural steps your lawyer recommends to protect your rights and achieve the best outcome.
Getting professional advice early and being organized about documentation will greatly improve your chances of resolving an employment dispute successfully in Agia Paraskevi.
