Timekeeping practices in Greece: Ensuring Compliance Through Digital Monitoring
Since 2021, Greece has implemented a nationwide electronic monitoring system for timekeeping as an effort to modernise labour practices and ensure compliance with working hours. This system mandates that private employers connect to a centralised platform that tracks employees' work hours in real time.
Each employee is issued a unique digital card, which they use to log in their working hours. This digital card records the start and end times of their workday. The system's real-time data entry allows for immediate monitoring and reduces the potential for discrepancies in reporting working hours.
The Greek Labour Inspectorate has access to this electronic monitoring system, allowing them to review entries and verify that businesses are adhering to legal working hours and labour regulations. This oversight ensures that employers maintain fair labour practices and that employees are compensated accurately for their time worked.
The electronic monitoring system provides transparency and fairness for both employers and employees. For employers, this system means they must be diligent in maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with labour laws to avoid penalties.
Employers must stay updated with any changes in the system's requirements and ensure their practices align with regulatory standards. This approach not only helps in legal compliance but also promotes a fair working environment, which can enhance employee satisfaction, trust and experience.