The best and worst countries to work in Europe. What place does Greece take

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Repeated research is put Greece In one of the last places in EU according to working conditions. Similar conclusions are drawn by private organizations, such as an international company Great Place to workwhich provides consulting, evaluating and certification services as “good” for work.

Estimates and certificates are provided on the basis of employees' satisfaction surveys and consider a number of criteria for a working environment. Polls are filled anonymously and, according to Great Place to workhelp the management of each company understand, “How employees evaluate the management practices of your company, and what actions contribute to the creation of an excellent working atmosphere”.

Research of labor

It can be argued that even if we are talking about anonymous surveys, the very knowledge that your authorities will see and analyze them more. Caution In criticism than if you said, for example, in the trade union.

Nevertheless, this is the largest international recognized company for certification of workplaces with representative offices in 170 countries And more 30 years experience. She has clients from 21,000 companies around the world that hire 20 million employees.

A recent annual study of labor “European Workforce Study 2025”just published, is aimed at mapping the quality of the working environment at the pan -European level. It was held through the Internet in the summer 2024 V 19 European countries (17 EU member states, Norway and Great Britain) with a sample almost 25,000 workers. From Greece participated about 1500 employees.

To compile a study, the methodology of polls was used Great Place to work: With 60 criteriaregarding working culture and leadership and 20 questions on specialized topics, such as practices ESG (Ecology-social aspects-management), artificial intelligence and hybrid work.

According to the head of the project Tron Kleivan, “The results of the study show divided Europe with a huge unused potential”. Some of those who first rise at the pan -European level, he notes, is a connection between the culture of the workplace and performance at the national level and how the quality of leadership determines the working culture.

Deeply divided Europe: the gap between the north and the south

The first conclusion European Workforce Study It consists in the fact that there is a huge difference in the level of satisfaction of labor between European countries. While workers in the countries of Northern Europe report high satisfaction, in most countries of the South and in Poland The level of satisfaction is low.

Greek workers are the second in the degree of discontent in Europe, giving way to only Italy. All 44% (Compared to 43% Italians) believe that “In general, this is a good place to work” The current employer.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, employees in Denmark And Norway are the most satisfied with their working environment with indicators 75% And 73% respectively. The first five includes Sweden (68%), Austria And Switzerland (67%).

Above the European average are Finland (65%), as well Germany, Netherlands And Spain (All by 64%). Spain is the only country of southern Europe with a relatively high rating, which is probably associated with generous increase in the minimum wage exceeding 60% Since 2018, when a socialist came to power Pedro Sanchezwhich helped the country break out of The “salary” bottom.

The most satisfaction from work is received by employees in industries requiring highly qualified skills: in technology, financial sector And Professional scientific specialties.

The least satisfied employees in transport And logistics, trade, public sector And healthcare. According to the research analysis, low satisfaction with healthcare work, despite the high qualifications of personnel, is explained by the fact that in most European countries, healthcare belongs to the public sector, where, as a rule, satisfaction below.

Inequality and lack of recognition

In general, the labor force of the EU feels that its value is not recognized. All 36% It is believed that their reward is fair compared to the profit of the company. Also, low indicators are among those who believe that those who deserve them are promoted, while less than half (45%) It is believed that salaries correspond to the work performed. Most employees (51% to 53%) They feel that the leadership does not appreciate additional efforts, does not show interest in their ideas and sentences, and that there are no equal opportunities for everyone.

It is interesting that countries with high performance of work also have high performance in terms GDP For an hour of work. Greece Located at both indicators.

Negative records of Greece

Greek workers as a whole have a bad idea of ​​the reliability of the company's management in which they work. In addition, they are in the worst position among all their colleagues regarding the possibility of hybrid work. While in The Netherlands Six out of ten can work remotely, in Greece less than three out of ten have this right. Large differences between countries are explained by both the structure of economic activity and the presence of a culture of labor trust, the study is noted.

Labor market in Greece, where every third works in hotel business And tradeby its nature, does not provide great opportunities for flexibility. However, even in professions where workers could work from home, they are most likely not allowed.

Nevertheless, the study shows that “hybrid” workers who can work remotely several days a week are the most satisfied and have the least chances to leave. In addition, hybrid work leads to a higher level of innovation compared to those who work only in the office.

The bosses are arrogant

The chiefs and leaders in Greece are the most detached, and it is most likely that they will actively interact with employees. While in developed countries, such as Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerlandas well as in Spain Higher leaders are closer to workers, in Greece they behave like “Heavy peaches”.

Nevertheless, the leaders themselves have a completely different idea of ​​themselves and think that they are next to the staff. For Greece, the gap between how the bosses see themselves and how employees perceive them one of the largest in Europe.

Toxic environment

Greece also does not cope with the question psychological safety at the workplace. All 43% Workers believe that they work in a healthy environment from a psychological and emotional point of view. In contrast to this 85% those who work in companies certified as “EUROPEAN BEST WORKPLACES”They feel that their working environment is healthy. These companies are included in the list Fortune 100 best large companies with more than 500 employees and relevant awards for small and medium -sized enterprises with 50 to 499 employees.

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