The minimum amount of compensation that employers have to pay to employees employed in teleworking, to cover the cost of equipment, telecommunications and the use of the home workplace, is determined by a decision of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, in implementation of law 4808/2021 on Labor Protection.
The law provides for the first time compensation of teleworkers for the costs they incur, due to teleworking.
According to the decision, the minimum amount that employers will pay monthly to teleworkers is:
– For the use of the home workplace 13 euros.
– To cover the cost of communications 10 euros.
– For the maintenance of the equipment 5 euros.
According to a relevant announcement, the minimum amount of compensation for each case was determined based on a relevant special report (cost study) of PWC, prepared on behalf of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
According to the decision, the compensation for the cost of communications is not paid if the employer covers it directly, through a separate contract with the internet provider – mobile and fixed telephony. Accordingly, no compensation is paid for the maintenance of the equipment if the devices are provided by the employer.
The decision also explicitly states that the compensation may not be paid in lieu of the employee’s remuneration, as it is an expense. It is recalled that, according to the Law on Occupational Safety (Article 67), “the relevant expenses are not remuneration, but a deductible expense for the employer, are not subject to any tax or fee or are due due to employer or employee insurance contributions.” .
Finally, it is provided that, if teleworking is provided for less than 22 days per month, then 1/22 of the costs per teleworking day will be paid to the employee.
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