Greece, known for its leisurely pace of life and rich cultural heritage, is set to shift to a six-day workweek for certain industries, starting Monday. This move, which increases the standard workweek to 48 hours, aims to boost productivity in the face of a declining population and a shortage of skilled workers.
The decision by the Greek government stands in contrast to global trends, where many companies and countries are experimenting with a four-day workweek. Proponents of the four-day workweek argue that it increases productivity by allowing workers to be better rested and more focused.
While working longer hours can help workers refine their skills, research indicates that it can also lead to decreased productivity due to fatigue and burnout.
Greek workers who add two hours to their workday or take on an extra eight-hour workday will see a 40% increase in pay. The change, approved in September, applies to sectors such as agriculture, retail, and various service industries, as well as private businesses that operate 24 hours a day.
Despite the pay increase, some union officials are critical of the new rule. “It makes no sense whatsoever,” said Akis Sotiropoulos from the civil servants’ union Adedy, speaking to The Guardian. “When almost every other civilized country is enacting a four-day week, Greece decides to go the other way.”
Studies have shown that a four-day workweek can increase productivity. For instance, a study on US manufacturing found that when overtime increased by 10%, productivity dropped by 2% to 4%. Another study on over 10,000 skilled workers at a tech company in India found that increased working hours, including an 18% rise in overtime, led to a productivity drop of 8% to 19%.
Research suggests that workers benefit from time away from their jobs to recover. More free time can also enhance gratitude among employees. Zachary Toth, who runs a small manufacturing company in Toronto, implemented a four-day workweek after seeing successful pilots in other countries. He noted that the extra time away encouraged workers to voluntarily come in to finish projects, thereby maintaining productivity.
Emily Barron, executive vice president of talent and development at Basis Technologies, which adopted a four-and-a-half-day workweek, stated that the reduced hours were intended to help employees decompress while still meeting business needs. “It really is intended for people to take a mental break, to get caught up, to, you know, go to that workout class that they couldn’t get to at 7:30 in the morning,” she said.
The six-day workweek in Greece is intended to address changing demographics, which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described as a “ticking time bomb.” Since the debt crisis more than a decade ago, about 500,000 young and educated Greek citizens have left the country.
While the new rule is voluntary, some critics argue it effectively ends the five-day workweek. Aris Kazakos, an emeritus labor law professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told Germany’s DW news outlet that employers can require workers to work a sixth day, and workers cannot refuse. “The move to six days will kill off the five-day workweek for good,” he said.
