Greece faces high levels of workplace stress and burnout

Greece is facing significant challenges regarding occupational stress and burnout, particularly within the education sector and the general workforce. The Democratic Cooperation of Teachers P.E. has raised alarms about educators reaching their limits due to excessive workloads, bureaucracy, staff shortages, and large class sizes. They emphasize that chronic stress and professional exhaustion are exacerbated by administrative burdens and a lack of psychological support.

Broader data from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work highlights a systemic issue in the country. A study involving 28,000 workers across 30 countries indicates that 49% of Greek employees report experiencing stress, anxiety, or mental health issues related to work, significantly higher than the EU average of 29%.

Andreas Stoimenidis, president of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, attributes this high rate to Greek legislative frameworks and working conditions. He notes that while other European nations pilot shorter work weeks, discussions in Greece often focus on extending daily working hours. Factors such as low purchasing power, inadequate wages, and an imbalance in labor relations further contribute to the pervasive sense of pressure among the workforce.