Best Labor Law Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Labor Law Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Labor law in Vouliagmeni follows national Greek legislation. Vouliagmeni is part of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in the Attica region, so employment rights, employer obligations, and dispute processes are governed by Greek statutes, collective labor agreements, European Union directives, and case law. Oversight and enforcement are handled by national authorities such as the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, and the social insurance institution EFKA. Courts in Athens generally have jurisdiction for local labor disputes.

Greek labor law regulates the full cycle of employment. It governs hiring, employment contracts, working time and overtime, pay and benefits, leaves, health and safety, telework, termination and severance, and collective bargaining. Greece has modernized important aspects in recent years, including the ERGANI II timekeeping system, a digital work card that is gradually expanding across sectors, telework rules, parental leave reforms, and clearer protections for platform and part-time workers.

This guide gives accessible information for workers and employers in Vouliagmeni who need to understand rights and obligations, identify risks, and know when to seek legal support. It is general information and not legal advice for any particular case.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a labor lawyer when negotiating or reviewing an employment contract, especially for senior roles, non-compete obligations, bonuses, commissions, confidentiality, and intellectual property. A lawyer can help ensure the contract complies with Greek law and reflects your intentions before you sign.

Legal help is often essential for unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, or misclassification as a freelancer while working under employer direction and control. A lawyer can evaluate evidence, calculate statutory entitlements, and take action through the Labor Inspectorate or the courts.

If you face harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or unfair treatment due to gender, pregnancy, parental status, age, disability, religion, race, or other protected grounds, an attorney can advise on your rights, internal complaints, evidence preservation, and remedies under Greek and EU law.

During reorganizations, redundancies, or changes to working hours or place of work, legal advice helps protect your rights and clarify severance, notice, and redeployment options. Employers need counsel to plan compliant processes and avoid costly disputes.

Health and safety concerns, workplace accidents, and long-term illness require guidance on employer duties, reporting, benefits through EFKA, and accommodations. Telework arrangements also raise questions about cost coverage, right to disconnect, and data protection.

Foreign nationals and cross-border hires benefit from counsel on visas and work permits, social security coverage, and tax residence. Startups and small businesses often seek advice on hiring, ERGANI filings, internal regulations, and compliance policies.

Local Laws Overview

Employment relationship and contracts. Greek law protects dependent employment relationships regardless of title. Written terms are required in a timely manner and must include key information such as duties, place of work, working time, pay, and probation if any. Collective labor agreements may add terms that are binding at sectoral or company level. National general collective agreements set certain minimums but the statutory minimum wage is set by the government.

Working time and overtime. The standard legal working time is generally 40 hours per week with an 8 hour daily reference on a 5 day schedule. Overtime and overwork are regulated, must be recorded in ERGANI II in advance or in real time, and must be compensated with statutory premiums, subject to daily and annual caps. Employees are entitled to daily rest and weekly rest, and night work or Sunday work is allowed only in specific cases with extra pay and compensatory time off.

Minimum wage and pay. The government sets the statutory minimum wage which is revised periodically. As of April 2024 the monthly minimum wage was 830 euros gross for full time work. Collective agreements, seniority, job classification, and allowances can increase pay above the statutory minimum.

Annual leave and public holidays. Paid annual leave accrues from the start of employment and increases with service. For a 5 day week, the statutory minimum begins at 20 working days and rises with years of service. There are also mandatory public holidays and special leaves such as marriage leave, bereavement leave, and educational leave when statutory conditions are met.

Family and medical leaves. Greece provides maternity protection, paid paternity leave, parental leave for each parent, caregiver leave, and protections against dismissal linked to pregnancy or caregiving. Sick leave is recognized, with the employer typically covering part of pay for the initial period and EFKA providing sickness benefits when insurance conditions are met.

Telework and flexible work. Telework rules cover voluntary agreement, equal treatment, employer cost coverage for equipment and work expenses, health and safety at home, and the right to disconnect outside working hours. Schedule changes must be recorded properly in ERGANI II. Certain flexible arrangements are available for parents and carers under EU directive transpositions.

Termination, notice, and severance. Indefinite term contracts can be terminated with notice or payment in lieu, and severance is tied to length of service under statutory scales. Dismissals must not be discriminatory or retaliatory. Fixed term contracts end at expiry without severance unless they are used abusively to cover permanent needs. Collective redundancies must follow consultation procedures and thresholds.

Health and safety. Employers must assess risks, provide training and protective measures, keep records, and consult workers. The Hellenic Labor Inspectorate monitors compliance and can impose fines or order corrective actions. Serious accidents must be reported.

Equal treatment and harassment. Greek law prohibits discrimination and harassment at work and requires employers to prevent and address it. Internal policies, training, and confidential complaint channels are strongly recommended. Whistleblower protections apply under national law implementing EU standards.

Data protection and monitoring. Employee data is protected by the GDPR and Greek law. Monitoring such as CCTV or electronic tracking is only allowed for legitimate purposes, with transparency, proportionality, and data minimization. Telework monitoring must respect privacy.

Recordkeeping and digital tools. Employers must use ERGANI II to submit hires, contract details, schedules, overtime, and changes. The digital work card, being rolled out across sectors, records actual working time. Noncompliance can trigger inspections and fines.

Dispute resolution. Many labor disputes can be addressed first through the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate via mediation or conciliation. Collective disputes can go to OMED for mediation or arbitration. Court litigation is handled by the competent Athens courts for Vouliagmeni cases. Deadlines for claims vary, so prompt advice is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Greek labor law or a special local law apply in Vouliagmeni

Greek national labor law applies in Vouliagmeni. There are no separate municipal labor statutes. Local practice follows national rules, collective agreements, and EU directives, and disputes are typically heard by the Athens courts.

What is the current minimum wage in Greece

The statutory minimum wage is set by the government and updated periodically. As of April 2024 it was 830 euros gross per month for full time work. Rates may change, so check the latest announcement by the Ministry of Labor or consult a lawyer.

How are working hours and overtime handled

The standard is 40 hours per week. Overtime must be properly registered in ERGANI II and attracts premium pay. There are daily and annual limits and rules on rest periods. Unrecorded or unpaid overtime is a violation that can be reported and claimed with evidence such as schedules, messages, and timecard data.

Can my employer change my schedule or place of work

Limited adjustments may be allowed if they fall within a valid managerial right and the contract, collective agreement, and law. Significant changes to hours, location, or duties usually require your consent or a lawful business reason and must be recorded in ERGANI II. A lawyer can assess whether a change is lawful or amounts to constructive dismissal.

What are my rights during probation

Probation must be expressly agreed and comply with legal limits. During probation you retain core labor protections, including pay, working time limits, leave accrual, and protection from unlawful discrimination or retaliation. Termination rules are somewhat more flexible in probation but still must respect the law.

How much notice and severance am I entitled to if dismissed

For indefinite term contracts, notice depends on years of service and can range from one to several months, or the employer can pay in lieu. Statutory severance is tied to length of service. Dismissals cannot be discriminatory or retaliatory, and special protections apply during pregnancy, maternity, and parental leave.

What leave do parents get for childbirth and caregiving

Greek law provides maternity leave, paid paternity leave, and parental leave for each parent, along with caregiver leave in specific situations. There are protections against adverse treatment for exercising these rights. Payment during leave comes from the employer and social insurance depending on the type of leave and eligibility criteria.

What if I am paid off the books or treated as a contractor but I work like an employee

Greek law looks at the reality of the relationship. If you work under direction and control and are integrated into the business, you may be an employee regardless of contract title. You can claim proper registration, social insurance, and unpaid wages or benefits. The Labor Inspectorate can investigate and impose penalties.

How do I report a workplace violation in Vouliagmeni

You can file a complaint with the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate, seek mediation through its local office, or pursue a court claim. Keep evidence such as messages, emails, schedules, pay slips, and witness names. For urgent risks to health and safety, report immediately.

How long do I have to bring a claim

Deadlines vary by claim type. Wage claims generally have longer limitation periods under the Civil Code, while challenges to dismissals or certain statutory rights can have short deadlines. Because timelines can be strict, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after a problem arises.

Are non-compete and confidentiality clauses enforceable

Confidentiality obligations are broadly enforceable. Post-termination non-compete clauses are assessed for reasonableness in scope, geography, duration, and require legitimate business interest and typically compensation. Overbroad restrictions may not be enforceable.

Is Sunday work permitted

Sunday work is allowed only for specific sectors or under special conditions, and it requires premium pay and a compensatory day off. Unauthorized Sunday work can result in sanctions for the employer and entitles the employee to the relevant premiums.

Additional Resources

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Sets labor policy, issues circulars and guidance, and announces minimum wage decisions. Useful for official rules on working time, leave, and employer obligations.

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. Enforces labor standards, investigates complaints, conducts inspections, and provides mediation and conciliation services in individual disputes.

ERGANI II. The national electronic system where employers register hires, schedules, overtime, and changes. Workers can access their recorded data and verify entries when eligible.

EFKA. The Unified Social Security Fund that manages social insurance contributions, pensions, and benefits such as sickness and maternity benefits.

DYPA. The Public Employment Service that handles unemployment benefits, training programs, and certain parental leave payments.

OMED. The Organization for Mediation and Arbitration that manages mediation and arbitration for collective labor disputes and provides guidance on collective agreements.

Athens Bar Association. A resource to locate licensed labor lawyers who practice in the Athens courts serving Vouliagmeni.

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and local KEP citizen service centers. Useful for administrative guidance, document certifications, and directions to competent authorities.

Data Protection Authority. Provides guidance on workplace data processing, CCTV, and employee privacy compliant with GDPR.

Workers and employers associations. Sectoral unions, employer federations, and chambers often issue practical guidance on collective agreements, allowances, and sector-specific rules.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals. Write down what outcome you want, such as payment of overdue wages, a fair settlement upon exit, schedule adjustments, or compliance with telework rules. Clear goals help focus your legal strategy.

Gather documents. Collect your employment contract, amendments, collective agreement if any, pay slips, time records, ERGANI notifications, emails, messages, assignment letters, and any policy documents. Keep a chronology of facts and save evidence securely.

Check deadlines. Some actions have short time limits. Note the date of any dismissal, disciplinary action, unpaid wage period, or harmful change to your terms, and seek advice quickly.

Consider internal steps. Use internal grievance channels or human resources to raise issues in writing where appropriate. Be factual and keep copies of all correspondence.

Seek legal advice. Contact a labor lawyer who practices in the Athens area. Ask about experience with similar cases, fee structures, and the realistic timeline and risks. An initial consultation can help you decide between negotiation, Labor Inspectorate mediation, or litigation.

Protect your position. Avoid signing settlements, resignations, or acknowledgments without legal review. If you receive a notice or agreement, ask for time to consult counsel before responding.

Use official channels. For wage or working time violations, a complaint to the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate can lead to quick mediation. For urgent matters like health and safety, report immediately to the competent authority.

Monitor compliance. If you remain employed, check that your hours, overtime, and schedule changes are correctly recorded in ERGANI II or via the digital work card where applicable.

Plan the exit route if needed. If separation becomes likely, discuss severance, reference letters, benefits continuation, non-compete scope, and the agreed termination date. A lawyer can negotiate a settlement that reflects your rights under Greek law.

Stay informed. Laws and minimum wage rates change. Verify current rules with official authorities or your legal counsel, especially on working time recording, telework allowances, and parental leave benefits.