In some places, the four-day workweek model is currently being tested, but one country in Europe is going in exactly the opposite direction. In addition to six days of work per week, the daily hours are now also set to increase.
Which country is it? We are talking about Greece. The government there, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aims to ensure economic recovery in the country and increase overall productivity.
A crucial measure was the introduction of the six-day workweek in 2024. This is particularly notable, as several other countries in Europe are currently thinking in the opposite direction and testing the four-day workweek, including Iceland. This aims to relieve employees and improve people’s well-being.
Initial results from international studies show that the model is effective and leads to increased satisfaction among employees worldwide (via standard.at). Particularly, the risk of burnout is reduced.
However, in Greece, the government thinks differently and now wants to introduce another controversial change: the 13-hour day.
The model is to be voluntary
What does the change look like? A government proposal calls for introducing workdays of 13 hours. This is intended to ensure that unfilled positions are filled and that people do not have to take a second job (via tagesschau.de).
However, there are some restrictions and peculiarities: On one hand, an employee may only work 13 hours a day for 37 days a year – a maximum of 3 days per month. These hours count as overtime and must be paid 40% better than regular working hours. Additionally, eleven hours of rest time are scheduled, plus 24 hours once a week.
Also interesting: The model is intended to be purely voluntary. This means that no one who does not want to work 13 hours a day has to do so. This is what Greece’s Minister of Labor, Niki Kerameos, argues:
This is an exception rule. The employee has the right to refuse this without being threatened with dismissal or disadvantage.
Niki Kerameos via xataka.com
However, unions criticize the model despite the fact that it is voluntary. They see the danger that employers may still exert pressure on their employees to work more hours. Even if a dismissal is theoretically not supposed to be possible.
The unions are opposing the change: Protests and strikes have already taken place in several cities in Greece. A member of the hairdressers’ association said, for example: “With this law, employees will have no private life anymore, and for what? To satisfy employers and increase their profits!” (via France 24)
The various models of working hours are hotly debated in many countries. What is your opinion on this? Do you find the changes happening in Greece sensible? Or do you tend to favor the four-day workweek? Please feel free to write it to us in the comments. Related: A study shows that many employees have already secretly implemented a four-day workweek, even though they were supposed to work five days.
