Best Employment Rights Lawyers in Thivais

About Employment Rights Law in Thivais, Greece

Employment rights in Thivais are governed by national Greek law and European Union rules. While day-to-day issues play out locally in workplaces, inspections, mediation, and court procedures follow the same framework used across Greece. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security sets the policy framework, the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate monitors compliance, the Single Social Security Entity handles insurance matters, and labor disputes are heard by the competent civil courts for the region where the work is performed. Collective agreements at national, sectoral, or company level may add more favorable terms. If you live or work in Thivais, these rules protect your pay, working time, leave, safety, equal treatment, and the way an employer can end an employment relationship.

Recent reforms have focused on transparency, digital timekeeping with the digital work card, protections against violence and harassment, work-life balance for parents, and safeguards for platform workers and teleworkers. Greece also follows EU standards on information and consultation, transfers of undertakings, collective redundancies, and data protection. This guide highlights what that means for workers and businesses in Thivais.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help if you were dismissed and you believe the dismissal was unlawful or discriminatory, if you are owed wages, overtime, or holiday pay, if you are asked to sign a resignation or settlement you do not understand, or if you are pressured to accept a contractor status that does not reflect your real work. A lawyer can also assist if you face workplace harassment or violence, if your employer refuses maternity, paternity, or parental leave, if your schedule or digital work card records are manipulated, or if you are penalized for whistleblowing or union activity. Employers seek advice when drafting contracts and internal policies, handling performance or disciplinary issues, reorganizing roles, managing transfers of undertaking, or planning collective redundancies. Lawyers can represent you in the Labor Inspectorate process, negotiate settlements, and bring or defend claims in court.

Local Laws Overview

Employment relationship and contracts. Most employees in Greece work under indefinite-term contracts, with a default probation period of up to six months. Fixed-term contracts are allowed for objective reasons and renewals must not be used to avoid indefinite-term status. Changes to essential terms require employee consent or a lawful basis. Written statements of the main terms are required and transparency rules have been strengthened to implement EU standards.

Working time and recording. The standard full-time schedule is 40 hours per week. Work beyond 40 up to 45 hours in a five-day week is typically treated as overwork with a wage premium. Legal overtime beyond that is allowed up to an annual cap that currently reaches 150 hours in many sectors and must be recorded in the ERGANI information system or through the digital work card. Night work generally attracts an additional premium and Sunday or public holiday work usually carries a higher premium. Employers in covered sectors must use the digital work card so that daily start and end times are recorded in real time.

Pay and minimum wage. The statutory minimum wage applies nationwide and includes Thivais. As of April 2024 the monthly minimum wage is 830 euros gross for full-time employees, with a corresponding daily rate for daily paid workers. Collective agreements or company policies may set higher pay scales. Wages must be paid through a bank account and itemized payslips are required.

Leave and family rights. Paid annual leave starts at 20 working days on a five-day schedule in the first year and increases with seniority under law and collective agreements. Greece recognizes paid public holidays. Maternity leave is at least 17 weeks, paternity leave is 14 working days, and each parent has an individual right to four months of parental leave, with a portion paid by the public employment service under current rules. Breastfeeding and childcare leave or equivalent reduced working hours are also available. Sick leave requires medical certification and pay is shared between the employer and social insurance according to duration and rules set by law.

Health and safety. Employers must assess workplace risks, provide training and personal protective equipment, and appoint a safety technician and, where thresholds are met, an occupational physician. Employees can refuse dangerous work and must follow safety instructions. Work accidents must be recorded and reported.

Equal treatment and harassment. Greek law prohibits discrimination based on sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics. Law on prevention of violence and harassment at work requires employers to adopt policies, handle complaints, and protect complainants from retaliation. Victims can seek help from the Labor Inspectorate and the courts.

Telework and platform work. Telework generally requires a written agreement about working time, costs, equipment, and the right to disconnect. Monitoring must respect privacy and data protection rules. Platform workers who meet the tests of subordination and control may be presumed to be employees and entitled to employment protections.

Termination and severance. Dismissals must be in writing, registered in the ERGANI system, and accompanied by statutory severance where applicable. Notice and severance depend on length of service and employee category. Dismissal is invalid if based on protected grounds such as pregnancy, new parenthood, union activity, or discrimination. Mass layoffs follow special procedures. On termination, employees are entitled to unpaid wages, pro rata holiday, and severance if conditions are met.

Transfers and restructuring. On a transfer of undertaking, employee rights and obligations usually transfer to the new employer. Collective redundancies require information, consultation, and specific steps before implementation.

Social insurance and benefits. Employers must register employees with e-EFKA and pay contributions. Employees should verify their insurance days and ensure that contributions are properly credited. Unemployment benefits and training programs are provided by the Public Employment Service.

Data protection. Employers must comply with GDPR when processing employee data and must have a lawful basis and respect principles like transparency, data minimization, and security. Employees have rights to access and rectify their data.

Enforcement and deadlines. Many claims have strict time limits, and some steps must be taken within weeks or months. Wage claims may be subject to multi-year limitation periods, but challenges to dismissal or claims for severance differences can have shorter deadlines. If in doubt, act quickly and seek advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the national minimum wage apply in Thivais and what is the current amount

Yes. The national minimum wage applies across Greece, including Thivais. As of April 2024 the monthly minimum wage for full-time employees is 830 euros gross. Sectoral or company agreements may set higher rates.

How many hours can my employer require me to work each week

The standard is 40 hours per week. Work beyond 40 hours is regulated. Hours up to 45 in a five-day schedule are often counted as overwork with a premium, and beyond that as overtime with higher premiums and annual caps. Night work and Sunday or public holiday work carry additional pay. All extra hours must be declared in ERGANI or captured by the digital work card where applicable.

Can my employer dismiss me without giving a reason

Employers must follow legal formalities. Dismissal must be in writing, registered in ERGANI, and severance must be paid when the law requires it. Dismissals based on pregnancy, new parenthood, union activity, or discriminatory grounds are prohibited. During the initial probation of an indefinite-term contract, termination is easier, but anti-discrimination and maternity protections still apply. If you suspect an unlawful dismissal, act promptly because deadlines to challenge are short.

What paid leave am I entitled to

You accrue paid annual leave starting at 20 working days on a five-day week and increasing with years of service under law and collective agreements. You are also entitled to paid public holidays. Maternity leave is at least 17 weeks. Paternity leave is 14 working days. Each parent has an individual right to four months of parental leave, with a portion currently paid by the Public Employment Service. Sick leave is paid according to law and social insurance rules and requires medical certification.

What should I do if my employer has not paid my wages or overtime

Gather evidence such as payslips, bank statements, schedules, digital work card records, and messages. Ask in writing for payment. You can file a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate for mediation and enforcement. If the issue is not resolved, you can bring a claim in court and request precautionary measures in urgent cases. Time limits apply, so do not delay.

What is workplace harassment and how can I report it

Harassment includes unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic or of a sexual nature that violates dignity and creates a hostile environment. Violence and harassment law requires employers to adopt policies, investigate complaints, and protect against retaliation. You can report internally, to the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, or to the police if there is criminal conduct. Keep a record of incidents, dates, witnesses, and communications.

How do I know if I am an employee or an independent contractor

Labels are not decisive. If the company controls your schedule, place of work, and how you perform tasks, requires exclusivity, provides tools, and integrates you into its operations, you may be an employee with full rights. Platform workers may benefit from a presumption of employment when control and dependence are present. A lawyer can assess your situation and help correct misclassification.

What rules cover telework in Greece

Telework normally requires a written agreement that sets working time, costs, equipment, health and safety, and the right to disconnect. Employers must respect privacy and data protection. Working hours must be recorded and overtime rules still apply.

How is overtime, night work, and Sunday work paid

Overwork beyond 40 hours up to 45 in a five-day schedule generally carries a 20 percent premium. Legal overtime beyond that usually carries higher premiums, often around 40 percent or more, subject to caps and declaration requirements. Night work often carries a 25 percent premium, and Sunday or public holiday work commonly carries a 75 percent premium. Exact rates and caps can change and collective agreements may provide better terms, so check the rules that apply to your sector.

How do I file a labor complaint or start a claim in Thivais

You can file a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, which can call the employer for a meeting, mediate, and impose penalties. Many disputes resolve at this stage. If needed, you can bring a lawsuit in the competent court for the Thivais area. A lawyer can help you choose the right forum, gather evidence, calculate claims, and seek interim measures for urgent wage issues. Keep an eye on deadlines, which can be short for dismissal challenges.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Ministry of Labor and Social Security. For policy information and guidance. Citizens helpline 1555.

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. Independent authority that receives complaints, conducts inspections, and mediates disputes. You can contact the national helpline 1555 for information on filing a complaint and for contact details of the regional office serving Boeotia and Thivais.

Single Social Security Entity e-EFKA. For insurance registration, sickness benefits, and contribution issues. General helpline 1555.

Public Employment Service DYPA. For unemployment benefits, parental leave allowance components, and training. General helpline 1555. Local service offices operate in Central Greece and can direct residents of Thivais.

Citizens Service Centers KEP. For general administrative guidance and help submitting applications to public bodies.

Organization for Mediation and Arbitration OMED. For collective bargaining mediation and arbitration services.

Trade unions and labor centers. The regional labor center for Boeotia and sectoral unions can provide support and representation to members.

Local bar associations and lawyer referral services. Contact a bar association serving Boeotia or Central Greece for referrals to employment law practitioners.

Chamber of Boeotia. For employer guidance on compliance and training.

Next Steps

Write down the facts. Note dates, hours worked, conversations, and names of witnesses. Save payslips, schedules, emails, instant messages, bank statements, and photos of posted schedules. If you use the digital work card, take screenshots of your entries.

Ask your employer in writing. A clear written request for unpaid wages, clarification of schedule changes, or copies of your contract and policies often prompts a response and creates a record.

Check your status in ERGANI and social insurance. Ask for confirmation that your employment, schedule, and overtime were declared and that your insurance contributions were paid.

Seek advice early. Consult an employment lawyer familiar with Greek labor law and the local practices in Thivais. Bring your documents to an initial consultation so the lawyer can assess deadlines and options.

Consider administrative steps. File a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate if mediation or enforcement is needed. In harassment or violence cases, consider also reporting to the police.

Preserve deadlines. Some claims require fast action, especially dismissal challenges. Do not sign a resignation, settlement, or waiver without legal advice.

Aim to resolve but prepare to litigate. Many disputes settle after an Inspectorate meeting or negotiation. If not, your lawyer can file a claim in the competent court and, if needed, request interim relief for urgent matters like unpaid wages.

This guide is for information purposes only. Laws change and outcomes depend on facts. For tailored advice about a situation in Thivais, speak with a qualified lawyer.