By Vangelis Dourakis

Parents who want to take time off work today to attend the school holidays can miss work without having to “spend” even … half a day of their normal leave. They have the right to apply for special leave that allows them to be close to their children without having their wages cut. Still others will have to work tomorrow October 28th and it will be well for them to know what sums will be paid for their services.

Starting with the parents, there are many who want to “show off” their children at the school celebration, especially in Kindergartens and Primary Schools. So there is a parental leave that they can use on the day of the school holiday.

Which parents can get the “special” leave?

This is the permission to monitor a child’s school performance according to which working parents have the right to be absent, without a cut in their wages and after the employer’s permission, for certain hours or the whole day, from their work, until the completion of four (4) working days, every calendar year, in order to visit their children’s school.

In fact, there is a special provision for school holidays where it is clarified that the leave can be granted during the days of school holidays or events, because the parent can also be informed during these days about the operation and organization of the school, about the planning of the educational process, about the child’s performance.

Of course, the same applies to parents of students in Middle and High Schools who want to show them off with the flag at school or when receiving an honor or award.

In any case, the leave is granted after joint, in terms of content, responsible declarations by the parents to their employer or employers about which of the two parents will use the leave or, if they agree to share it, for the disclosure of the specific time periods that each of them will use part of the leave. Employers are required to provide employees with relevant certificates.

The pay for the holiday of October 28

Going to the pay of October 28 it should be pointed out that it is about mandatory holiday for private sector employees.

As the GSEE clarifies through the Workers and Unemployed Information Center (KE.PEA./GSEE), in accordance with article 60 of Law 4808/2021, during mandatory holidays the employment of workers and the operation of businesses are prohibited, except for those that are allowed to operate legally on Sundays and holidays.

Thus, what applies is the following:

A. For businesses that are not operating, i.e. those that are down “rollers” anyway: The employees who are paid on daily wages they receive their normal daily wage without any increase. Those who are paid a monthly salary receive their full salary, without any change.

B. For legally operating businesses, employees who will be employed are entitled to: If they are paid a daily wage, they receive the normal daily wage and a 75% surcharge on the legal hourly wage for all hours worked.

If they are paid a monthly salary:

(a) For businesses that do not normally operate on public holidays but will open on an emergency basis, 1/25 of the salary is paid and an additional 75% surcharge on the daily salary

(b) For businesses that operate permanently and legally on Sundays, only a 75% surcharge is paid, calculated at 1/25 of the legal daily wage for working hours.

It is not allowed to offset the holiday with a day off or rest day.

The salary of October 28 is also paid to those on leave, but without counting the working days of their leave.

If more favorable terms apply (through a Collective Bargaining Agreement, Regulation, or business practice), then these prevail.

GSEE reminds that compliance with the rules on mandatory holidays ensures labor rights and contributes to the smooth functioning of labor relations.