'efficient at getting us set up in Greece and were able to easily navigate any issues we have had ... their advice was crucial during this process ... professional, responsive, pleasant and kind people to work with'
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
'an excellent team with deep knowledge of legal issues ... very well prepared and efficient ... their work is always of the highest quality'
Chambers Europe 2023
'a respected team advising multinational and domestic clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious labour issues'
Chambers Europe 2022
Our team guides local and multinational companies and their employees and foreign employers without a permanent establishment in Greece through this highly regulated and continuously developing area of law.
We focus on understanding our clients' aims and concerns and providing in-depth and tailored advice.
At the core of our practice is advising on the human resources and employee relations issues which arise on an everyday basis in any business, whether these are run of the mill or challenging. Our experienced lawyers act in an advisory capacity and in the context of transactions, advising on the employment aspects of mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, privatisations, transfers of undertaking and voluntary exit plans.
Collective Agreements & Industrial Relations
We act in disputes arising from union relations and industrial action. We have substantial experience in participating in negotiations with trade unions and work councils, in particular when collective consultation obligations have been activated. We also advise on mass and collective workforce reductions and redundancy programmes.
Employment Contracts
We advise businesses and their employees on a strategic and day-to-day basis on the recruitment, management, retirement and dismissal of personnel. We document employment contracts, both standard form and tailored, consultancy and other outsourcing agreements. We are specialised in advising on the contractual and legal terms and conditions of employment and their bilateral or unilateral modification, as well as terms imposed through company policies, employment regulations or collective employment agreements, and those applying to special categories of employees and foreign nationals. We also advise on the termination of employment contracts or other types of service agreement, such as consultancy, agency and advisory, and in cases of both collective and individual dismissals.
Employment Disputes
We represent clients in the case of employee complaints and disciplinary procedures and in litigation arising from employer-employee relationships, dismissals, accidents at work and professional liability.
Pensions, Incentives & Compensation
Our team has an expertise in advising employers and employees on remuneration and bonuses, executive pay, share option schemes, benefits, private pensions and social security. We assist employers in the structuring, modification and termination of incentive and pension schemes, holiday and leave allowances and flexible employment packages, as well as the associated benefits and risks.
Regulations & Compliance
Our team is expert in advising on compliance with the complex legislative and regulatory framework in place and managing the risks associated with it. We structure and draft employment regulations, company policies and codes of conduct. We advise on employment data protection, the effect and requirements of privacy laws in the workplace and restriction of trade, confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation provisions, as well as employer obligations in terms of health and safety at work.
Immigration
Our team provides expert guidance and support to multinational and domestic employers and senior executives on employment mobility including EU/EEA and third-country national postings and secondments. We work closely with HR departments and advise on employee benefits, social security, incentive programmes and pension plans. Together with our Tax department we offer tailored advice on tax issues arising from the relocation of employees, digital nomads and expats.
Recent Experience
CNH Industrial Acquisition of Augmenta Group
Within the context of CNH Industrial’s acquisition of Augmenta Group, we advised on employment law matters and technology transfer issues in relation to employee created software.
Collective Redundancies
In the context of an international restructuring of an IT Technology Group of Companies, we advised on the implementation of collective redundancies of the Greek subsidiary.
Advice on Whistleblowing and Reporting of Breaches
We advise an international technology solutions and software provider in relation to employment matters and compliance of its global policies with local law requirements, including data privacy and whistleblowing requirements following the enactment of legislation incorporating in Greece the EU Whistleblowing Directive for the reporting of EU law breaches.
Immigration Law Issues for Senior Employees
We advised an international high technology company engaged primarily in defence and homeland security, on immigration law matters including residence permits for access to the labour market in the context of employees relocating to Greece and various employment and social security law related matters.
Employment Law Support to Foreign Company
We advised an information technology company operating in multiple markets in the Middle East and Europe on setting up a Société Anonyme in Greece and on immigration law, and drafted all employment law agreements, including senior executive agreements, termination agreements and internal policies. We continue to advise on day to day issues.
Prodege Acquisition of Pollfish
We advised Prodege LLC, a cutting-edge marketing and consumer insights platform on employment law issues arising from their acquisition of Pollfish Inc.
Executives Relocation
We advise third country executives and EU nationals and their families on relocating for professional reasons.
Posting and Secondment Procedures
We advise Group and affiliate companies on posting and secondment legal requirements and procedures.
Employment Issues in Restructuring and Transfer of Business
We advised a water and waste management company on the restructuring of their Greek business and the transfer of business from the local branch to a purchasing entity. In the context of our involvement, we advised the client on various employment law issues, including TUPE, employee transfer and legacy concerns.
Acquisition of Start-Up
We advised an open-source e-commerce company with an international presence on employment law issues arising from the acquisition of a Greek software start-up.
Amicable Separation of Subsidiary’s Managing Director
We advised a company in relation to the amicable separation of the Managing Director and CEO of their Greek subsidiary.
Immigration of Executives
We advise an energy trading company in relation to immigration of executives.
Amicable Separation of Executives
We advise subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies active in various industry sectors on the amicable separation of their senior executives and draft all related employment and corporate law agreements.
Employment Issues in CVC Acquisitions
We advised CVC on employment law issues in the context of the acquisitions of an insurance company (Ethiniki Asfalistiki), a major Greek dairy company Dodoni SA and Vivartia Holdings, a diversified food company in Greece.
Employment Advice on the Acquisition of Holding Company
We advised an American company that operates global financial exchanges and clearing houses and provides mortgage technology, data and listing services, in connection with employment law issues arising from the acquisition of a Maltese holding company operating in the global digital trade, operations finance and logistics space, with subsidiaries in the UK, US and Asia-Pacific and Europe.
