6 day working week in Greece

Greece has introduced a six-day working week for certain industries in a bid to boost economic growth.

New legislation, which came into effect at the start of July, allows employees to work up to 48 hours in a week as opposed to 40.

only applies to businesses which operate on a 24-hour basis and is optional for workers, who get paid an extra 40% for the overtime they do.

the Greek government is at odds with workplace culture elsewhere in Europe and the US, where four-day working patterns are becoming more common.

Firms adopting these policies typically argue that working fewer hours actually boosts productivity and staff wellbeing.

Tourist businesses and the food industry are not included in the policy.

EU’s "working time directive" requires member states to guarantee a 48-hour limit to weekly working hours, including overtime., external

this measure does not affect in any way the established five-day working week mandated by law.

Instead, it serves to address urgent operational demands that cannot be met through the available supply of specialised workers

the new regulations would also protect workers against "under-declared or undeclared work and ensure fair compensation".

The global financial crisis of the late 2000s had a devastating effect on Greece, as the legacy of high public spending and widespread tax evasion left the country with crippling debts.

Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, has been credited with successfully returning the economy to growth after the crisis forced Greece to seek three international bailouts.

Trials of a four-day week in Iceland were deemed an "overwhelming success" and led to many workers moving to shorter hours, according to researchers, which claimed productivity remained the same or improved in the majority of workplaces.

January 2025

100 companies signed for 4 day working week in UK

In Britain, 200 more companies have switched to a four-day working week, which is being hailed as the future standard. The shorter schedule increases productivity, makes employees happier and helps attract young specialists, top managers say. "The 5/2 schedule is outdated, it was invented 100 years ago.

The four-day week is good for everyone and gives people a full life," said Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Foundation. The country predicts that this format of work will become the norm in five years.