Studies have found numerous advantages to implementing a four-day workweek: improved physical and mental health, better work-life balance, and reduced burnout. Greece, however, is choosing the opposite direction. Instead of reducing the traditional workweek, the country is increasing it to six days.

In September 2023, the Greek parliament passed Law 5053/2023, which states that employees cannot work more than eight hours on the additional sixth day and, per the country's Labor Ministry, organizations must provide 40 percent overtime pay to staff who work that extra day. Companies must also notify a labor inspector before bringing an employee in for a sixth day.

The new law, however, which went into effect on July 1, is not mandatory. Businesses that operate seven days per week as well as companies that implement heavy shift work to endure an unforeseen increased workload can choose to adopt the policy. If they do, the law mandates that they apply it uniformly to all employees.

According to The Guardian, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis justified the change by citing a shrinking population and a shortage of skilled workers. Despite the government's reasoning, Greece's labor unions, including the Greek General Confederation of Labour, have expressed opposition to the law.