Upcoming events
April 17-19 – 2023 Global Benefits Forum – San Diego The Global Benefits Forum, presented by Lockton People Solutions, is back! Our 2023 U.S. event will be held April 17-19 in San Diego, California. Now in its eighth year, the […]
France to reform its pension system
The French government recently introduced legislation aiming to reform the country’s pension system by gradually increasing the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, as well as the number of years of insured employment needed to be eligible for a full pension from 42 to 43 years.
To speed the passage of the controversial reform, the French government used its constitutional power to bypass the parliament vote. The reform is expected to enter into effect once its compliance with the French constitution is confirmed by May 2023.
Poland expands family leave entitlements
The Polish Government introduced a bill that expands parental leave entitlements and introduces a right to flexible work arrangements for parents of young children and carers, as well as
carers leave and emergency leave for all employees.
The amendments aim to align Poland with the European Union Directive No. 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers.
The Bill is in the initial legislative stages and still needs to be passed by both houses of the Polish parliament and signed by the President before it becomes law. The exact implementation date is not yet known.
Bulgaria expands family leave entitlements
The Bulgarian government recently amended its Labour Code to extend paternity leave entitlements and introduce a right to flexible work arrangements for parents of young children and carers. The amendments align Bulgaria with the European Union Directive No. 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers.
The amendments were published in the State Gazette and became effective on 1 August 2022.
EU directive on adequate minimum wages
In an effort to enhance the adequacy of statutory minimum wages, promote collective bargaining on wage-setting, and improve access to minimum wage protections, European Union (EU) member states will be required, no later than 15 November 2024, to pass national legislation meeting new minimum requirements established by Directive 2022/2041 of 19 October 2022 (the “Directive”) on adequate minimum wages.
Puerto Rico introduces amendments to Labor Code [Updated]
On 20 June 2022, the Puerto Rico government passed Act No. 41-222, which amends certain provisions of the 2017 Labor Code to increase labor protections for private sector workers. The Act introduces many changes including the amendment of the severance payment calculation formula, vacation and sick leave accrual rules, annual bonus thresholds and meal breaks rules.
New remote working legislation around the world [Updated]
With the rise of technology, work from home has been a steadily growing trend for many years. Remote working has exploded since Spring 2020 with quarantines, workplace closures and lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at least for jobs and industries that do not always require workers to be on-site.
This abrupt worldwide shift to remote work sparked new logistical and structural legal challenges that warranted many countries to pass teleworking legislation, some of which is summarized in this article.
New teleworking legislation varies widely across the countries. While some countries introduced their first teleworking general legal framework, other countries passed more detailed measures. This article will only cover permanent teleworking legislation that has entered into effect since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Temporary COVID-19 related measures, as well as proposed legislation not yet passed as of the publication of this article will not be addressed.
Belgium entitles employees to bicycle allowance
Beginning 1 May 2023, employees who regularly cycle to work may claim an employer-paid allowance of EUR 0.27 per kilometer based on the recent conclusion of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA No. 164) by the National Labour Council on 24 January 2023.
Israel to introduce a health insurance reform
The government of Israel recently introduced a health insurance reform establishing a comprehensive Private Medical Insurance (PMI) framework that creates a uniform structure for basic health policy.
The new circular is expected to come into effect on 1 May 2023.
Spain introduces menstrual leave
The Spanish parliament recently passed new legislation introducing multiple changes to menstrual and reproductive health legislation including a government-paid temporary sick leave for female employees who suffer severe menstrual pain. The new leave (also called “menstrual leave”) may be taken for as long as needed so long as the temporary medical incapacity is approved by a doctor.
The legislation will enter into effect three months after its publication in the Official Gazette (the exact publication date is still yet to be determined).
Ireland expands family leave entitlements
The Irish government recently approved the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 which introduces a right to request flexible working arrangements, five days of government-paid domestic violence leave, and five days of unpaid carer’s leave (called “serious medical care leave”).
The Bill is currently in its third reading before the Irish parliament and is expected to enter into force in the near term (the exact date is yet to be determined).