Greece is introducing a six-day work week: Where do other European countries stand?

Greece, after enduring 15 years of recession, austerity, and three stringent rescue packages, is now set to introduce a six-day work week.

This move, effective from July 1, signifies a significant shift in labour regulations in the country, which have seen collective agreements frozen and many workers operating under individual employment contracts. Officially, the 40-hour work week remains, but employers can now require staff to work up to two unpaid hours per day for a limited period in exchange for more free time. In reality, the practice is often involuntary.

Clearly, the situation in Greece is dire. But how are other European Union (EU) countries performing when it comes to the cap on work hours and reducing the length of the workweek?

EU labour standards

The European Union (EU) has established minimum common standards on working hours, which apply to all member states. These standards include a maximum working week of 48 hours, paid annual leave of at least four weeks per year, rest periods, and rules on night work, shift work, and work patterns. Despite these regulations, Greek workers already have the longest working hours in Europe, averaging 41 hours per week, according to Eurostat. This is significantly higher than the EU average of 37.5 hours per week for those aged 20-64.

Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria
These countries follow Greece closely, with average work weeks around 40.2 to 40.4 hours. They reflect a similar trend of longer working hours in Eastern and Southern Europe compared to their Western and Northern counterparts.

Germany

Germany operates a five-day work week, but from February 1, the country has been experimenting with a four-day work week to address labour shortages. German workers have one of the shortest work weeks in Europe, averaging 35.3 hours per week.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, employees aged 18 and over can work a maximum of 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week, although this is not permitted every week. Typically, workers average 33.2 hours per week, the shortest in Europe.

France

French labour laws cap daily working hours at 10 and weekly hours at 48, including overtime. In exceptional circumstances, this can be increased to 60 hours per week. France balances these restrictions with generous paid leave and strong labour protections.

United Kingdom

The UK adheres to the ‘working time directive,’ limiting the work week to 48 hours on average over a 17-week period. Workers can choose to opt out of this limit. This flexible approach is designed to accommodate different industries and worker preferences.

Spain

Spain maintains a 40-hour work week over five days. In December 2022, Spain launched a two-year pilot program for a four-day work week, reflecting growing interest in work-life balance improvements.

Italy

Italian workers typically have a 40-hour work week, capped at 48 hours as per EU regulations. The standard work day is eight hours, spread over five days.

Belgium

Belgium has a 38-hour work week, usually over five days. Recent legislation now allows for these hours to be spread over four days, giving workers more flexibility in managing their work-life balance.

Denmark

Denmark operates with a 37-hour work week, without specifying the number of working days. Employees usually distribute these hours over four to five days, maintaining a flexible yet balanced work schedule.

Sweden

Sweden’s Working Hours Act limits the work week to 40 hours. While typically spread over five days, there is flexibility, and Sweden has experimented with reducing daily work hours from eight to six.

Norway

In Norway, the standard work week is 40 hours, often distributed over five days. However, many collective agreements have reduced this to 37.5 hours, providing a balance between work demands and personal life.

In a nutshell

The introduction of a six-day work week in Greece highlights significant disparities in working hours across Europe. While the EU sets out common standards, individual countries adopt various approaches reflecting their economic, social, and cultural contexts. Greece’s move is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles within the country and contrasts sharply with trends towards shorter work weeks and better work-life balance in other parts of Europe. As nations like Germany and Spain explore four-day work weeks, Greece’s extended work schedule shows the complex dynamics of labour practices in the continent.

With inputs from agencies