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A new study by the Labour Institute of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (INE GSEE) paints a troubling picture of Greece’s working environment, revealing that the vast majority of employees are grappling with intense pressure at work, which is spilling over into their personal and social lives.

According to the findings, 73% of workers operate under strict time constraints, while a striking 87% say they experience frequent or constant stress on the job. More than half of respondents, 51%, believe this psychological burden is taking a toll on their life outside of work.

Stress Rises with Age

The data show elevated stress levels across every age bracket, with pressure intensifying the older workers get. Among those aged 17 to 34, 47% report feeling under pressure “always” or “most of the time.” That figure climbs to 50% for workers between 35 and 54, and reaches 53% among those over 55. Similarly, 57% of employees aged 35-54 and 52% of those over 55 say work-related stress meaningfully affects their lives beyond the office.

Harassment Tied to Deeper Inequalities

The study also sheds light on troubling patterns of workplace bullying and sexual harassment, suggesting these are not isolated incidents but symptoms of broader social and occupational inequalities. Age was cited as the leading factor behind harassment, named by 36% of respondents, followed by gender (27%), sexual orientation (10%), and ethnicity (7%).
The breakdown differs sharply by gender: women most often point to their gender as the primary cause of harassment (42%), while men most frequently cite age (35%). Notably, young workers aged 17-34 reported the highest rate of harassment linked to sexual orientation of any age group, at 10%.

Bigger Companies, Bigger Pressure

The research also found a clear correlation between company size and workplace stress. At small businesses, 65% of employees report high pressure levels—a figure that rises to 84% at companies with more than 250 employees. Among workers at large firms, 62% say their job negatively affects their personal life.