In view of the increase regarding the reported cases of the coronavirus disease in Greece, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, on 09.03.2020, announced measures in order to support employers in dealing with issues that may arise during this crucial period.

To be specific, the following measures were announced:

1. Any employers’ obligation to officially notify the authorities of any change or amendment regarding employees’ working hours or working program, by a respective registration to the informational system of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs called “ERGANI”, has been suspended. Thus, enabling employers to manage and regulate more effectively employees’ working hours and adapt to the new circumstances.

In any case, it should be clearly stated that employers are still required to meet any protective provisions stipulated, with respect to any overwork provided, overtime, working in shifts, the minimum rest time for employees etc.

During the implementation period of the above measure, employers are obligated to proceed with an aggregated report to the competent authorities via the informational system called “ERGANI”, of any change or amendment regarding employees’ working hours or program, as well of any overwork or legal overtime provided in the previous month, within the first 10 days of the following month.

2. In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the workplace, employers, while being obligated to protect and care for their employees’ healthcare and safety, may suggest and implement remote working policies (teleworking), to the extent any such work is feasible from an operational and a technical point of view (e.g. by using information and communication technology), thus also facilitating the work of employees with children.
3. For a period of three months and up until the 30^th of June 2020, a suspension, regarding the payment of social security contributions and installments of payments of any kind of arrangements, is provided, for all payments due by the 31^st of March 2020, in reference to sectors and regions, where business operation has been shut down following an order by the government for more than 10 days.

In addition to the above useful measures introduced by the competent authorities, in order to successfully manage any kind of issues that may arise amidst the spread of the disease, we suggest the following:

• Avoiding overcrowding at the workplace and reminding the employees of the need to follow the protective measures that have been announced by the health authorities.
• Avoiding all kind of indoors meetings, either within the company or intra-company, and if it is possible, holding any such meeting by making use of technological facilities such as teleconference or videoconference is suggested.

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