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This guide explains employment rights as they apply to workers and employers in Karditsa, a regional city in the Thessaly region of Greece. Employment law in Greece is shaped by national statutes, collective bargaining agreements, European Union directives and Greek constitutional protections. Local reality in Karditsa follows the same legal framework as the rest of Greece, but local institutions - such as the Labour Centre of Karditsa, the local offices of social security and employment services, and the Karditsa Bar Association - are the practical first points of contact when you need help.
Employment rights cover many topics including contracts, wages, working hours, holiday and sick leave, social security contributions, workplace health and safety, protection from discrimination and harassment, rules on dismissal and redundancy and remedies for unpaid wages or other violations. If you are an employee, an employer, a temporary worker, a seasonal worker or a self-employed person contracting with businesses in Karditsa, understanding these rights can help you resolve problems and defend your position.
Employment disputes often involve complicated factual and legal issues and strict procedural requirements. A specialized employment lawyer can help in many common situations:
- Unfair or unlawful dismissal - where an employer terminates a contract without legal cause or without following statutory procedures.
- Non-payment of salary, overtime, bonuses or holiday pay - including withheld pay or disputed deductions.
- Discrimination, harassment or workplace mobbing - based on protected characteristics such as gender, age, disability, religion, nationality or union activity.
- Workplace injuries and occupational illness - claims concerning employer liability, compensation and social security benefits.
- Misclassification of employment status - disputes over whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor, with consequences for taxes, social security and rights.
- Collective redundancies and restructuring - advice on legal duties, consultation procedures and compensation for affected employees.
- Social security and benefit disputes - problems with EFKA contributions, unemployment benefits through OAED or disability and sickness benefits.
- Negotiating settlements or drafting employment agreements - to protect your terms and limit future disputes.
- Representation in administrative procedures or labour courts - bringing claims before the Labour Inspectorate, administrative bodies or the courts and meeting procedural deadlines.
Even if your situation seems simple, early legal advice can identify deadlines and practical options - such as conciliation, administrative complaints, or litigation - and can often achieve a better result than informal negotiation alone.
The following points summarize the key legal aspects you will encounter in employment matters in Karditsa and across Greece:
- Employment contracts: Employment may be governed by written or verbal contracts. Greek law recognises fixed-term and indefinite-term contracts. Written terms are strongly recommended - they help prove rights on working hours, pay, duties and notice periods.
- Minimum pay and collective agreements: Minimum wage levels are set nationally and may be supplemented or varied by sectoral collective bargaining agreements. Collective agreements applicable to a workplace can affect pay, overtime rates, leave and other conditions.
- Working hours and overtime: Standard weekly working time and rules for overtime are set by law and collective agreements. Overtime is generally paid at higher rates or compensated with time off.
- Annual leave and public holidays: Employees are entitled to paid annual leave and paid public holidays in accordance with national rules and any applicable collective agreements.
- Sick leave, maternity and parental rights: Employees have statutory rights to sickness benefits, maternity leave and certain protections during pregnancy and parental leave. Social security contributions and benefit entitlements are administered through EFKA and related schemes.
- Social security and contributions: Employers must make social security contributions for employees and register workers with EFKA. Disputes about contributions or benefit entitlements are addressed through EFKA procedures and, when necessary, the courts.
- Health and safety: Employers owe a duty to protect workplace health and safety. The State Labour Inspectorate enforces health and safety rules and can impose sanctions for breaches.
- Dismissal and redundancy: There are rules on lawful dismissal, required notice, severance pay in certain cases and special protections for specific categories of workers. Unlawful dismissal may give rise to reinstatement claims or compensation.
- Anti-discrimination: Greek law, reflecting EU directives, prohibits discrimination in employment on various grounds. Victims of discrimination can seek remedies through administrative complaints and court claims.
- Enforcement and remedies: Remedies include back pay, damages, reinstatement, fines on employers and corrective orders. Administrative enforcement is often initiated through the State Labour Inspectorate or social security authorities, while substantive disputes may go before labour courts.
If your employer stops paying wages, start by collecting all relevant documents - employment contract, payslips, bank transfers, timesheets and any written communication. Raise the issue in writing with the employer and keep copies. Contact a lawyer experienced in employment law to evaluate options - administrative complaint to the Labour Inspectorate, claim for unpaid wages in the civil or labour courts, or alternative dispute resolution. Acting promptly is important because legal claims may be subject to time limits.
Dismissal without notice is generally restricted. Employers must observe notice periods and lawful grounds for dismissal. Summary dismissal may be possible for very serious misconduct, but it must meet stringent legal tests. If you have been dismissed without proper notice or without legal cause, seek legal advice quickly to understand your rights to compensation or reinstatement.
Greek law prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment based on characteristics such as sex, race, religion, age, disability and union activity, in line with EU law. Victims can file administrative complaints, pursue remedies through the courts and seek damages or other relief. Document incidents and report them according to any internal workplace procedures while preserving evidence.
Claims for unpaid overtime or holiday pay require evidence of hours worked and the applicable pay terms. Collect timesheets, emails, schedules and payslips. You can seek recovery through an administrative complaint or file a civil or labour claim. A lawyer can help quantify your claim and identify the correct jurisdiction and procedure.
After a workplace injury, seek medical treatment and obtain a detailed medical report. Report the incident to your employer and make sure the accident is recorded in the appropriate workplace accident register. Contact EFKA to start any social security or insurance benefit claims. If the injury is due to employer negligence, you may have a civil claim for compensation. Consult a lawyer to coordinate medical, social security and legal steps.
Seasonal and temporary workers have many of the same statutory protections as permanent employees - including pay rights, rest periods, safety protections and social security coverage. However, entitlements like redundancy pay or certain types of notice can differ depending on contract length and status. Always check your written contract and seek advice if rights are denied.
Social security in Greece is administered primarily by EFKA for contributions, pensions, sickness and work injury benefits. Unemployment benefits are handled by OAED. If you have a dispute about contributions, benefit entitlement or calculation of periods, contact EFKA or OAED and consider legal advice if administrative remedies are unsuccessful.
No, you do not need to be in a union to take legal action. However, unions and the local Labour Centre can provide support, information, and sometimes legal assistance. Unions can also help with collective disputes, negotiation and workplace representation. In many cases, individual legal advice and representation by a qualified employment lawyer remains essential.
Employment disputes can be heard in labour courts and ordinary civil courts, depending on the nature of the claim. Administrative bodies such as the State Labour Inspectorate and social security offices handle enforcement and administrative complaints. A lawyer can advise which forum is appropriate for your particular dispute and help you comply with any procedural requirements.
Act promptly. Many employment-related claims are subject to statutory time limits or procedural requirements for preliminary complaints or conciliation attempts. Evidence can also deteriorate or disappear over time. Contact a lawyer or the appropriate local authority as soon as possible to understand deadlines and preserve evidence.
For practical help in Karditsa consider these local and national bodies and organisations - contact them for information, administrative procedures and support:
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - national authority responsible for labour policy and regulations.
- State Labour Inspectorate (SEPE) - enforces labour law, health and safety and can inspect workplaces and impose sanctions.
- EFKA - Unified Social Security Fund - handles contributions and many social security benefit claims.
- OAED - Manpower Employment Organization - administers unemployment benefits and employment support services.
- Labour Centre of Karditsa or local trade unions - can offer local support, information and representation in collective matters.
- Karditsa Bar Association - for a list of local qualified employment law attorneys who can advise and represent you.
- Local municipal or citizen service centres - for administrative guidance and translation support if needed.
Note - these entries describe types of organisations. For specific contact information and exact office locations ask locally or consult a lawyer to guide you to the right office in Karditsa or the Thessaly region.
If you believe your employment rights have been violated in Karditsa, take these practical steps:
- Preserve evidence - keep contracts, payslips, timesheets, emails, messages, medical reports and any written communications. Make copies and store them securely.
- Record a clear timeline - note dates for key events such as hiring, pay periods, incidents, warnings and dismissal.
- Try internal resolution - raise the issue in writing with your employer and follow any workplace grievance procedures. This can be required before some administrative steps and also helps preserve your case.
- Contact local organisations - the Labour Centre, EFKA or OAED for administrative information and to start benefit applications if applicable.
- Seek legal advice early - consult a lawyer experienced in Greek employment law to assess your case, explain likely outcomes and advise on deadlines, negotiation, administrative complaints and litigation options.
- Consider union support - if you are a member of a union, contact them for immediate assistance and representation options.
- Keep informed about deadlines - ask your lawyer about statutory limitation periods and any required steps to preserve claims.
Employment disputes can be stressful, but timely, well-documented action and professional legal advice improve your chances of a fair outcome. If you need help finding a lawyer in Karditsa, contact the local Bar Association or the Labour Centre for recommendations and referral options.
