3-speed Christmas gift for those affected by the pandemic

of Dimitris Katsaganis

With three basic “speeds”, the Christmas Gift will be paid until December 21, 2021 – to the employees who are employed in companies that have been affected by the pandemic this year.

May is a milestone, not only because from that month the period for which the right to the Christmas Gift is established begins to “count”, but also because from May onwards the decisive lifting of the restrictive measures began, together with of “support packages” for those affected by the suspension of employment contracts.

More detail:

1. The first “speed” belongs to those employees joined a “support package” (suspensions, ” Collaboration ”) until April (for one to four months), while from May to the current month, in December (for one to eight months) they were normally employed, that is, without being part of a “package” of support in their business. They will receive a Christmas Gift exclusively from their employers.

2. Those who belong to the second “speed” employees, between May and December 2021 (regardless of whether they worked or had joined a “support package” in the period January-April 2021) , were included for some months in a “package” of support, while for some others they were employed normally, based on their contract. These employees will receive two or three “types” of Gifts. For the period they have joined a “support package” they will receive a benefit from the state, while for the period they have been employed normally (ie without being included in a “support package”), they will receive a Christmas Gift from the their employer.

3. They belong to the third “speed” those employees who for the entire period May-December 2021, were included in a “support package”. If they were part of the “Co-Work” mechanism, they would receive a “mixed” Christmas Gift, ie both from the state and from their employers. If for some months it was suspended, they will only receive a Christmas allowance from the state for this period (calculated on the compensation of 534 euros), while for the rest of the period they will receive a Christmas Gift from their employer (calculated on their salary) or by the state, if they have joined the “Collaboration” mechanism.

Examples

– Regarding first “speed”, even a company employee with a net salary of 1000 euros. In the 4-month period between January-April 2021, it was suspended, receiving the special compensation of 534 euros / month. He then returned to work, continuing to receive a net salary of 1,000 euros / month for the period May-December. He will receive a Christmas Gift from his employer in the amount of 1,000 euros.

In relation to second gear, even a company employee with a net salary of 2,000 euros. For the period May – August 2021, he joined the “Co-Work” mechanism, after his salary was reduced by 1,000 euros.

For 4 months May-August 2021, they received 60% of their cut salary, ie 600 euros / month. In the 4-month period September-December 2021, this employee returned to the pre-“Co-Work” status and received a salary of 1000 euros / month.

This employee is entitled to three “types” of Christmas Gifts. The first Gift will be paid by the employer, will cover the 4-month period May-August and will be calculated based on the temporary salary of 1000 euros. It will amount to 500 euros.

The second Gift will be paid as a state allowance, will be calculated on the aid of 600 euros paid in the period May-August 2021 and will amount to 300 euros.

The third Gift will be paid again by the employer and will cover the period September-December 2021, will be calculated on his initial salary (2000 euros) and will amount to 1000 euros. In total, that is, the employee of the example will receive as a Christmas Gift from his employer and the state the amount of 1800 euros (instead of 2000 euros in case he had not joined the “Co-Work” and his salary had not been reduced by 50%).

– Regarding third “speed”, even an employee with a salary of 1500 euros, who joined the mechanism “Co-Work” in the 8-month period May-December 2021, after previously his salary was reduced by 50%, reaching 750 euros / month temporarily.

The state paid 60% of the reduction, ie the amount of 450 euros / month. This employee will receive two types of Christmas Gifts. The first Gift will be received from his employer, calculated on his temporary salary (750 euros) and will amount to 750 euros.

The second will receive it as a state allowance, will be calculated on the state aid (450 euros) and will amount to 450 euros. In total, that is, as a Christmas Gift he will receive, from his employer and the state, the amount of 1200 euros (instead of the 1500 euros he received only from his employer if he was not part of the “Co-Work” and had not been reduced temporarily).

* “Collaboration” – Suspensions: How the Christmas allowance will be paid