Business hours

Business hours are the hours during the day in which business is commonly conducted. Typical business hours vary widely by country. By observing common informal standards for business hours, workers may communicate with each other more easily and find a convenient divide between work life and home life.Many businesses and organizations have extended or unlimited business hours if their business takes place continuously. For example, hotels, airports, and hospitals are open 24 hours a day, and transactions can take place at any point in time, thus requiring staffing and management availability at all times.Recent communications technology such as smartphones has also extended the working day.In some jurisdictions, legislation or regulations may require businesses to limit their trading hours. For example, some Western countries prohibit certain businesses from trading on Sundays, this being traditionally considered a day of rest. Businesses which serve hot food or alcoholic drinks are also frequently restricted in their trading hours.In the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor has mandated that companies must pay overtime to individuals who work over 40 hours a week. Businesses often do not schedule their employees to work more than 40 hours per week because they want to avoid paying their employees overtime.In Greece, business hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are usually from 9 am to 3 pm, while on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are usually from 9 am to 2 pm and after the siesta from 5.30 pm to 9 pm. Large stores and supermarkets follow an extended business hours schedule and are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 8 pm. All stores are normally closed on Sundays, but there are several exceptions throughout the year. Banking and civil services hours are usually Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm, with minor variations but are always closed at weekends. All stores and offices are closed on public holidays.