Best Wage & Hour Lawyers in Melissia

About Wage & Hour Law in Melissia, Greece

Wage and hour matters in Melissia are governed by national Greek labour law and applicable European Union rules. This means the basic rights and protections for pay, working time, overtime, rest breaks, annual leave and social security are set at the national level and apply in Melissia just as they do across Greece. Local authorities in the Athens region can help with information and enforcement, but courts and administrative bodies that decide disputes operate under Greek law and procedures.

The typical issues people face include unpaid wages, incorrect overtime pay, unlawful deductions, unclear or missing employment contracts, misclassification as an independent contractor and disputes about holiday or sick pay. Remedies can include negotiation, administrative complaints with the labour inspectorate, or claims in the employment courts.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer who specialises in wage and hour or employment law can add value in many situations. Practical reasons to consult an attorney include:

- You are not being paid all or part of your wages and the employer refuses to resolve the issue.

- Your employer is not paying overtime, or is incorrectly calculating overtime and other premium pay.

- You have been dismissed and believe the dismissal is linked to a wage dispute or is otherwise unlawful.

- You were hired as an independent contractor but you believe you meet the legal criteria for employee status.

- Your employer has made unexplained deductions, withheld bonuses, or failed to pay holiday or sick pay.

- You need help collecting and organising evidence - payslips, time records, bank transfers, emails and witness statements - and preparing a formal claim or complaint.

- You want to pursue a collective issue, for example if several colleagues are affected by the same unlawful pay practice.

An experienced lawyer can advise on the best strategy - negotiation, administrative complaint, mediation or court action - and represent you during legal proceedings and enforcement.

Local Laws Overview

The following points summarise key legal aspects that are particularly relevant in Melissia and throughout Greece. These are general principles - specific rights and remedies depend on your contract, collective agreements and the particular facts of your situation.

- Employment contracts - Contracts can be written or verbal, but written contracts provide essential proof of terms. Contracts set salary, working hours, place of work and other core terms.

- Working hours - Greek law and EU rules regulate normal working hours, rest breaks and weekly rest periods. Employers must keep records of working time in many cases.

- Overtime - Work beyond normal hours is generally subject to overtime premiums, as fixed by law or collective agreements. How much overtime is paid and at what rate depends on law, your contract and any applicable collective agreement.

- Minimum wage - Greece sets a national minimum wage. Collective agreements and sectoral rules may provide more favourable terms.

- Pay slips and record-keeping - Employers should provide pay slips and keep payroll and time records. Payslips should show how salary and deductions are calculated.

- Leave and public holidays - Employees are entitled to paid annual leave, sick leave and statutory public holidays in accordance with national rules and contracts or collective agreements.

- Unlawful deductions - Employers cannot normally make arbitrary deductions from wages. Deductions must be lawful, agreed or authorised by an enforceable legal title.

- Social insurance contributions - Employers must register employees with the national social security body and pay social contributions. Failure to do so may affect both pay claims and social benefits.

- Termination and severance - Dismissal rules, notice periods and severance depend on the type of contract, length of service and statutory protections. Unlawful dismissal can result in reinstatement or compensation.

- Enforcement and remedies - Remedies include negotiation, administrative inspections and orders by the labour inspectorate, and claims in civil or employment courts. In some cases criminal penalties may apply for serious violations.

- Time limits - There are legal deadlines for filing complaints and claims. These time limits can be strict, so act promptly if you believe you have a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my employer owes me unpaid wages?

Start by comparing your employment contract and pay slips with actual payments received. Keep records of hours worked, bank transfers and communications with your employer. If an expected salary, overtime, bonus or holiday pay is missing, ask the employer in writing for an explanation. If the employer does not rectify the issue, seek legal advice and consider filing a complaint with the labour inspectorate or initiating a court claim.

What are the normal working hours and how is overtime calculated?

Normal working hours and overtime rules are set by national law, collective agreements and individual contracts. Typically there is a standard weekly or daily working time and work beyond that may be paid at a higher rate. The exact thresholds and overtime rates vary by sector and agreement, so check your contract and any collective bargaining agreement that applies to your workplace.

Am I entitled to paid annual leave and public holiday pay?

Yes. Employees are generally entitled to paid annual leave and to compensation for statutory public holidays according to national law. The amount of leave depends on length of service and specific contract terms. If your employer refuses leave pay or does not pay for public holidays to which you are entitled, you can pursue remedies through negotiation, the labour inspectorate or the courts.

Can my employer make deductions from my salary?

An employer may only make deductions that are authorised by law, agreed in writing by the employee, or required by a final court or administrative decision. Unauthorised or arbitrary deductions are typically unlawful. If the employer makes a deduction you do not recognise, request an itemised payslip and written explanation and consider seeking legal help.

What should I gather as evidence before making a wage claim?

Collect your employment contract, pay slips, bank statements showing salary payments, any time sheets or clock-in records, emails or messages about pay or hours, internal company policies, and witness details if colleagues can confirm hours worked. Preserve originals and make copies. A lawyer can help organise evidence to support a claim.

How long do I have to bring a claim for unpaid wages?

There are statutory time limits for wage and hour claims. These deadlines vary according to the type of claim and circumstances. Because deadlines can be strict, it is important to seek advice promptly to avoid losing your right to seek compensation.

Can I be dismissed for complaining about unpaid wages?

Retaliatory dismissal or other adverse treatment for asserting your legal rights is generally unlawful. If you believe you were dismissed or treated unfairly for raising wage issues, record everything and consult a lawyer quickly, as you may have a claim for unfair dismissal or reinstatement and compensation.

I was told I am an independent contractor - what if I should be treated as an employee?

Misclassification is a common issue. Whether someone is an employee or independent contractor depends on the actual working relationship - control, working hours, payment structure, tools and integration into the employer's business. If you believe you have been misclassified, a lawyer can help assess the facts and bring a claim to obtain employee rights, back pay, social contributions and other remedies if appropriate.

What protection do part-time and temporary workers have?

Part-time and temporary workers have legal protections against discrimination and are entitled to proportional pay, rest and leave in accordance with national law and collective agreements. The exact entitlements depend on hours worked and the terms of the contract. Temporary workers may also have rights to equal treatment compared to permanent staff doing comparable work.

Where do I file a complaint and what remedies can I expect?

Initial complaints can be filed with the labour inspectorate, which can investigate and order corrective measures. If the inspectorate cannot resolve the issue or you prefer to pursue damages, you can file a claim in the employment courts. Remedies may include payment of owed wages, interest, compensation for unlawful dismissal, reinstatement in some cases and penalties against the employer. A lawyer can explain the most effective route for your situation.

Additional Resources

For assistance and reliable information in Melissia and across Greece, consider contacting the following institutions and organisations. These bodies can provide information, accept complaints or direct you to local services - you will need to consult a lawyer for case-specific legal advice and representation.

- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - national authority responsible for labour policy and enforcement.

- Labour Inspectorate - the official body that inspects workplaces and enforces wage and hour rules.

- Single-Member Employment Courts and relevant civil courts - where employment disputes are heard.

- Unified Social Security Fund - the national social insurance authority for employee registrations and contributions.

- Greek Ombudsman - can assist with administrative complaints and discrimination issues in certain contexts.

- General Confederation of Greek Workers - national trade union body for workers seeking union support.

- Local municipal citizen service centres - for information about local procedures and translated forms.

- Legal aid clinics and pro bono services - available for people who meet income criteria or in special circumstances.

- European labour bodies and worker rights organisations - for information on EU protections that apply in Greece.

Next Steps

If you believe you have a wage or hour problem in Melissia, consider the following practical steps:

- Gather documents - collect contracts, payslips, bank statements, time records, emails and any other evidence of hours and pay.

- Record communications - ask your employer for clarification in writing and keep copies of all responses.

- Seek initial legal advice - consult an employment lawyer experienced in Greek wage and hour law to assess your case and explain deadlines and likely outcomes.

- Consider administrative remedies - a complaint to the labour inspectorate can trigger an inspection and possible administrative orders.

- Prepare for litigation if needed - your lawyer can help prepare a claim for the courts, negotiate settlements and represent you at hearings.

- Preserve your rights - act promptly because statutory time limits can bar claims if you wait too long.

- Understand fees and support - ask potential lawyers about fee structures, potential costs and whether legal aid or union assistance is available.

- Language and local representation - proceedings and documents are in Greek. Use a local lawyer or arrange for translation if you are not fluent.

Taking these steps will help you protect your rights and give you the best chance of resolving wage and hour disputes effectively.