Best Employment Rights Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Employment Rights Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Employment in Vouliagmeni is governed by national Greek law. Although Vouliagmeni is a coastal suburb within the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in Attica, the same countrywide rules on hiring, pay, working time, leave, termination, health and safety, equality, and social insurance apply. Key frameworks include the Greek Labour Code, Law 4808-2021 on protection of work and work-life balance, later amendments that expand the Digital Work Card, and rules administered by the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Core rights typically include a written agreement, registration of employment in the ERGANI information system, accurate timekeeping, payment of minimum wage and statutory bonuses, paid annual leave and public holiday rules, protection from discrimination and harassment, safe working conditions, social security coverage through EFKA, and access to unions and collective bargaining. Many workplaces are also covered by sectoral or company collective agreements that improve on the legal minimums.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A local employment lawyer can be helpful when you face situations such as unfair or abrupt dismissal, unpaid wages or bonuses, misclassification as a contractor, disputes over overtime or schedules recorded through the Digital Work Card, workplace harassment or discrimination, health and safety incidents, changes to terms without your consent, enforcement of non-compete or confidentiality clauses, telework cost disputes, collective redundancies, relocation, or when you are a foreign worker needing clarity on permits and rights. A lawyer can explain your options, assess documents and time records, negotiate with the employer, help you lodge a complaint with the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate, or represent you in court or mediation.

Local Laws Overview

Employment relationship and contracts - Employment must be reported to the ERGANI system. Written terms are required and should set duties, pay, hours, place of work, probation, and any collective agreement that applies. Changes to essential terms generally require the employee’s consent, unless a lawful and reasonable managerial change is permitted by contract or law.

Working time and overtime - The standard full time schedule is commonly 40 hours per week. Additional work and overtime are regulated and must be paid with statutory premiums. As a general guide, extra hours beyond the normal schedule and legally authorized overtime attract premium pay, with higher percentages for work beyond legal limits. Night work and Sunday or public holiday work are restricted and usually paid with extra premiums unless an exemption applies.

Digital Work Card and timekeeping - The Digital Work Card records start and end times in real time and is being rolled out across sectors in Attica and nationwide. Employers must keep accurate schedules and time records. Mismatches between schedules, card data, and pay can justify claims for unpaid overtime and penalties against the employer.

Pay and minimum wage - Greece sets a national minimum wage that is periodically revised. As of 2024 the monthly minimum wage is 830 euros gross. Sectoral or company collective agreements may set higher rates or specific allowances. Employers must pay on time and provide payslips. Equal pay rules apply.

Statutory bonuses - The private sector typically owes a Christmas bonus, an Easter allowance, and a vacation allowance, calculated by law based on service time and pay method. These are separate from monthly wages and are enforceable rights.

Leave - Paid annual leave accrues with service, with a base entitlement for full time employees that increases after years of service and depends on a five day or six day week. Employees are also protected for maternity, paternity, parental, and caregiving leave under Law 4808-2021, with specific benefits administered by the Public Employment Service. Public holidays are regulated and may require premium pay if worked.

Termination, notice, and severance - Termination rules depend on contract type. Indefinite term contracts require written notice and severance that vary by service length, while fixed term contracts usually end on the agreed date unless there is early justified termination. Dismissals cannot be discriminatory or retaliatory. Terminations must be reported in ERGANI. Severance and notice rules are technical, so legal advice is recommended.

Telework - Telework and hybrid work are regulated. Key points include a written telework agreement, cost reimbursement for work tools and connectivity where applicable, health and safety obligations that extend to the remote site, limits on monitoring, and a right to disconnect consistent with business needs.

Health and safety - Employers must assess risks, provide training and equipment, and maintain a safe workplace. Depending on headcount and activity, a safety technician and occupational physician may be required. Work accidents must be recorded and may trigger benefits through EFKA and liability rules.

Equality, harassment, and violence at work - Law 4808-2021 prohibits violence and harassment. Employers with at least 20 employees must adopt policies and internal procedures to receive and handle complaints. Workers are protected from retaliation for good faith reports. The Hellenic Labour Inspectorate can investigate and sanction violations.

Personal data and monitoring - Workplace processing of personal data is subject to the GDPR. Monitoring tools must be transparent, necessary, and proportionate. Employees have information and access rights. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority oversees compliance.

Unions and collective bargaining - Employees may join unions, elect representatives, and bargain collectively. Collective agreements may apply by extension and can improve on legal minimums regarding pay, schedules, and allowances.

Social insurance - Employers must register employees with EFKA, withhold contributions, and insure against work accidents. Failure to register can lead to heavy fines and back payments. Employees can verify contribution records and correct errors.

Enforcement and dispute resolution - The Hellenic Labour Inspectorate is the primary enforcement authority. Disputes can be addressed through internal procedures, inspectorate complaints, mediation or arbitration for collective issues through OMED, or employment courts in Athens and the wider Attica region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a written employment contract in Greece

Yes. Employers must provide written terms covering essential information such as duties, pay, hours, workplace, and the applicable collective agreement. Even if you started without a formal contract, ERGANI registration and payslips can evidence the employment relationship and rights.

What is the standard work week and how is overtime paid

The standard full time schedule is commonly 40 hours per week. Extra hours and overtime must be authorized, recorded, and paid with statutory premiums. Night, Sunday, and holiday work typically attracts additional premiums. Collective agreements may improve rates and rules. Keep copies of schedules, Digital Work Card records, and payslips.

How does the Digital Work Card affect my rights

The Digital Work Card records your real time start and end times. Employers must align pay with recorded hours. If your card shows longer hours than you are paid for, you may claim unpaid work and penalties. Make sure to use the card correctly and keep personal notes or screenshots where lawful.

Am I entitled to Christmas, Easter, and vacation bonuses

In the private sector these allowances are statutory. The Christmas bonus is typically one monthly wage for monthly paid workers, the Easter allowance and vacation allowance are typically half a monthly wage each, adjusted for service during the reference period. Late or non payment can be enforced.

What are my rights to annual leave and public holidays

Paid annual leave accrues from the start of employment and increases with service. Public holidays are set by law. Work on a public holiday is restricted and usually paid with a premium or compensated with time off. Your collective agreement may add local or sectoral holidays.

Can my employer change my hours, place of work, or pay without consent

Material changes usually require your consent, unless they fall within lawful managerial prerogatives defined in your contract or collective agreement. Unilateral detrimental changes can justify a legal claim or even constructive dismissal in serious cases. Seek advice before refusing a change.

What protections exist against harassment or discrimination

Law 4808-2021 prohibits harassment, sexual harassment, and violence at work, and protects employees who report misconduct. Employers with 20 or more staff must have policies and procedures. You can report internally and to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate. Discrimination based on protected characteristics is unlawful.

What happens if I am dismissed

Indefinite term dismissals require written notice and severance based on service. Employers must report the termination to ERGANI. Dismissals for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons are unlawful. Strict deadlines may apply to challenge a dismissal or claim unpaid severance, so act quickly and obtain advice.

What are my rights when I work remotely

Telework should be agreed in writing, with clarity on schedule, availability, equipment, cost reimbursement, and data protection. You have a right to safe working conditions and a practical right to disconnect. Monitoring must be proportionate and disclosed.

I am working undeclared or partially undeclared. What can I do

Undeclared or partially undeclared work is illegal. You can file a confidential complaint with the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate. Evidence like messages, emails, time records, and witness statements will help. If the employer is sanctioned, you may be able to recover wages and contributions.

Additional Resources

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - Policy, ERGANI information system, guidance on working time, pay, and leave.

Hellenic Labour Inspectorate - Independent authority handling complaints, audits, and sanctions for labour law breaches.

Unified Labour and Social Security Helpline 1555 - Information and guidance on employment, social insurance, and benefits.

Public Employment Service DYPA - Benefits, parental allowances, training, and job search support.

EFKA - Social insurance registration, contributions, benefits, and work accident coverage.

Hellenic Data Protection Authority - Guidance and complaints on workplace monitoring and personal data.

Hellenic Ombudsman - Equality body handling discrimination cases in employment and access to services.

OMED - Mediation and arbitration organization for collective labour disputes.

Athens Bar Association - Lawyer directories and information on finding an employment law specialist in the Attica region.

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni Social Services and local KEP Citizens Service Centers - Help navigating public services and documents.

Next Steps

Document everything - Gather your contract, ERGANI registration, schedules, Digital Work Card entries, emails or messages from management, payslips, and any internal policies. Keep a dated log of incidents, hours, and conversations.

Raise the issue internally - Where safe, write to HR or your manager, referencing specific dates and documents. Use any internal grievance or anti harassment procedure, especially in companies with 20 or more staff.

Seek official guidance - Call 1555 or contact the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate for information about your rights and how to file a complaint. Many disputes are resolved quickly when the inspectorate intervenes.

Consider mediation or negotiation - A lawyer can open settlement discussions, calculate lawful entitlements, and propose a resolution that protects your references and future job prospects.

Get legal advice early - Strict time limits may apply to dismissal challenges, wage claims, and discrimination cases. An employment lawyer in the Athens Attica area can assess your case, evidence, and strategy, and represent you before the inspectorate or the courts if needed.

Protect your wellbeing - If you are facing harassment or health and safety risks, prioritize your safety, seek medical support where necessary, and consider temporary measures such as leave or relocation discussed with your lawyer.

This guide provides general information. Because employment law is technical and facts matter, obtain advice tailored to your specific situation in Vouliagmeni and the wider Attica region.