The rise of remote working coupled with advances in digital technology have increased workplace flexibility and, some would argue, fostered better work-life balance. But this trend has also increased the risk of work encroaching into non-working life, extending overall working hours and contributing to heightened stress and anxiety.
Global teleworking is on the rise, as companies of all sizes embrace the many benefits of hiring talent—or creating opportunities for existing employees—to work remotely from abroad. But cross-border remote working also poses unique challenges in the areas of compliance, reward, and duty of care.
The British government recently announced an increase of 9.8% from the current rate of the national living wage for workers age 21 and above (previously age 23), as well as the national minimum wage for workers age 20 and below (at least at school age). This substantial increase is intended to support the lowest earners in the United Kingdom and will be effective on 1 April 2024.
The UK government recently published new regulations clarifying annual leave carry over and calculation rules for all workers and codifying calculation rules for part-year/ irregular hour workers’ annual leave entitlements.
Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 will enter into effect on 1 January 2024, with some provisions becoming effective at a later date.
Kazakhstan recently amended labor legislation to enable employers to offer their employees four-day work weeks and other flexible working arrangements. The amendments took effect on 1 July 2023.
A five-day employer-paid domestic violence leave became effective in Ireland on 27 November 2023. This leave is part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (see Lockton Compliance Alert), recently passed by the Irish government, which introduced several provisions with different implementation dates.