Certain private sector employees in Greece could be asked to work a six-day week following legislation that came into force on 1 July, 2024.
The rules that allow employers to ask staff to work a longer, 48 hour, week were passed by the Greek parliament last year.
Employers in some industrial and manufacturing sectors and businesses that provide round the clock services will be allowed to extend their employees working week to six days.
Productivity boost?
The move is intended to support the country’s growth and productivity, the government said, as Greece faces a shrinking population and a skills shortage. However, unions in the country are strongly opposed to the change, calling it “barbaric”.
Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, said: “This is a significant backward step. Longer working weeks don’t give people time to adequately rest and recharge and could negatively impact their wellbeing and their ability to work productively.
“The focus for improving productivity should be on smarter working, rather than increasing work intensity or longer working hours. This means organisations investing more in technology and people management and development capability.
“Improvements to people management practices and responsible adoption of AI and other forms of technology also have the potential to enhance job quality and improve people’s work-life balance.”
