Work Culture

Culture

To do business in Greece, it is vital to have a good understanding of its business or work culture. Making the right impression with the right people is the key to success in Greece, and it is important to back this up with the right research on the market and potential business associates. 

As a global PEO (Professional Employment Organization) it is our goal to be familiar and updated with the business culture in the country we work with and in. By sharing our knowledge about the Greek work culture, we want to support your global expansion plans. Therefore, we will address all the aspects of the work culture in Greece to start your expansion well-informed.

Unlike other European Union members, Greek business culture remains traditional and reflects age-old concepts of hierarchy and the significance of relationship networks. Who you know, rather than what you know is what drives business transactions, relationships, and growth in present-day Greece.

Whilst there is a noticeable growth in appreciation of creating a work-life balance and flexible working times and opportunities for remote working, Greece still places significant importance on business etiquette for the smooth operation of businesses. Here are some tips and tricks to use during your first few months:

• Punctuality: it is not particularly important for Greeks – they tend to be late for appointments. Scheduling an appointment is thus not always necessary, but it is courteous.
• Socializing: Greeks enjoy socializing with friends and business associates – they use social settings and meals to build rapport and trust over a long period of time. Allow social conversation to pass before mentioning business to your Greek peers; keep them engaged and be personal about yourself. Some questions may come across as direct or overly personal, but that is not their intention. It is also best to reciprocate and show interest in their personal lives.
• Introductions: When meeting someone new for the first time, smile and make eye contact with them. After a formal introduction, exchange business cards, and make sure to take a considerable moment to examine the card’s contents before putting it away. It might also be best to have a card translated into Greek and present it with the Greek side facing up during the card exchange.
• Gift-giving: In Greece, business associates like to exchange gifts for holidays such as Christmas and Easter, as well as birthdays and name days. These are normally small gifts that are easily reciprocated – a bottle of wine or liquor, office accessories, or fine chocolate. When invited over for dinner to a Greek home, flowers, sweets, or a bottle of wine/liquor are gifts most frequently offered.
• Dress code: It is advised to dress conservatively in business meetings in Greece – a dark suit for men, and professional wear for women, in dark and subtle colors. Depending on the social situation, however, less social clothing is acceptable. In the summer months – since it gets very hot in the summer, it is acceptable for men to wear a shirt with trousers, and women to be lightly dressed, avoiding tight clothing. In Greece, first impressions are largely based on a person’s dress, so it can make a significant difference.
• Formality: In Greece, colleagues often address each other on a first-name basis. However, it is best to the let the other person make the first move in the address, especially when your colleague is older than you or holds a higher position in the company.
• Hierarchy: It still holds some significance in Greek work culture. Final judgement calls are made by the person with the highest status, and authority for most decisions lies with them.
• Flexibility: It is expected and appreciated that one will be flexible with the rules.

Greece Minimum Wage

In 2013, a new law was introduced, with amendments in 2018, which established a new mechanism for calculating the national minimum wage was introduced. The minimum wage is set by the Ministry of Labor after thorough consultation with national social partners. Consultation commences at the beginning of each year, and the final decision is issued at the end of June.
At the beginning of 2019, the national minimum wage was set at EUR 758.3 per month.

Probation in Greece

Under Greek Law, the first 12 months of an indefinite employment contract are considered the probationary period – during which the employer may terminate the employment contract without notice or severance pay (although this varies according to accompanying collective, trade union or work council agreements).

Working Hours in Greece

Full-time employees work 40 hours a week. However, these 40 hours can be divided into:

• 8 hours a day, 5 days a week
• 6 hours and 40 minutes a day, 6 days a week

Employees are also guaranteed a 15-minute break if the workday lasts more than 6 hours.

Overtime in Greece

Employees also have the option to work 45 hours during a 5-day working week, or 48 hours during a 6-day working week – if so, they will be guaranteed overtime pay of 120% of their usual wages. Any working time exceeding nine hours and eight hours per day respectively is considered overtime.

Notice period in Greece

In the first 12 months of an open-ended employment contract, the employee can be terminated without notice or severance pay. After that, a notice must be given. The minimum notice periods are:

• 1-2 years of employment: one month.
• 2-5 years of employment: two months.
• 5-10 years of employment: three months.
• 10+ years of employment: four months.

Redundancy, Termination / Severance in the Greece

If the employer wishes to terminate the employment without notice, he must pay the full compensation. However, if termination takes place with prior notice, the employer is thus obliged to pay half the severance pay amount. Severance payments depend on how long the employee has been at work. The severance pay scale is as follows:

• One full year up to four years: two gross (monthly) salaries.
• Four full years up to six years: three gross (monthly) salaries.
• Six full years up to eight years: four gross (monthly) salaries.
• Eight full years up to ten years: five gross (monthly) salaries.
• Ten full years: six gross (monthly) salaries.
• 11 full years: seven gross (monthly) salaries.
• 12 full years: eight gross (monthly) salaries.
• 13 full years: nine gross (monthly) salaries.
• 14 full years: ten gross (monthly) salaries.
• 15 full years: 11 gross (monthly) salaries.
• Over 16 full years: 12 gross (monthly) salaries.

Redundancy

In Greece, redundancies are defined as dismissals on economic practicability grounds. They are not associated with the employees, but rather with the employer’s decisions concerning the company’s organization and aim to decrease any surplus staff. In case of redundancies, the severance compensation is the same as any other case (unless the employer applies a different policy). Collective redundancies, however, require a different procedure overall.

Pension Plans in Greece

Pensions are provided in Greece through a public scheme, comprising of a national pension (state contributions), and a contributory pension (paid by the employee). The pension age for both men and women is 67 – an employee must qualify with at least 4,500 days of contributions (which is equivalent to 15 years).

Workers, however, can also retire with full pension benefits at the age of 62 if they meet the contribution record of 12,000 working days (equivalent to 40 years).

Other benefits may apply for people who work in strenuous or unhygienic occupations, as well as for women with dependent or disabled children. The minimum old-age pension requires 15 years’ contributions.