Belgium: Employment and HR

In Belgium, employers must generally accept a valid medical certificate when an employee reports sickness absence.

The new Convention was adopted at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva on 12 June 2026.

This bi-monthly update examines recent developments in immigration and global mobility law across multiple jurisdictions, including EU social security coordination agreements, Hong Kong's wealth and mobility hub initiatives, Czech Republic's talent attraction programs, and visa policy changes in Brazil, Chile, and Sweden.

Employee grievance management varies significantly across jurisdictions, with some countries mandating statutory procedures while others rely on internal policies and guidelines.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive's June 7, 2026 transposition deadline has passed, yet many member states have not finalized their implementing legislation.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive deadline is approaching, yet most Member States have not transposed it into national law. What are employers' obligations right now, and which provisions can be enforced directly even without full national implementation? This analysis examines the legal nuances and provides actionable guidance for multi-jurisdictional employers navigating this uncertain landscape.

Recent labor law reforms in Belgium aim to modernize and increase flexibility in the legal framework, impacting the entire employment relationship cycle from working time organization to human resources management. This thematic analysis examines key changes in employee benefits and pension bonus plans, highlighting practical implications for businesses navigating the government's push toward more attractive and transparent compensation policies.

Belgium's 2025-2029 pension reform introduces significant changes to early retirement eligibility and implements a new bonus-malus system designed to incentivize longer working careers. The reforms increase the minimum working days required for pensionable years from 104 to 156 FTE days and establish financial rewards for postponing retirement beyond statutory age while penalizing early retirement with insufficient career years.

Today marks the 2026 observance of World Autism Awareness Day. It’s a moment to consider how employers can better recognise and support neurodiversity at work.

In Belgium, employers must generally accept a valid medical certificate when an employee reports sickness absence.

Belgium's employment law landscape is undergoing significant changes with the reintroduction of probationary-like provisions and new notice period caps. Starting June 1, 2026, employers and employees will navigate a one-week notice period during the first six months of employment, while long-tenured workers will see their maximum notice period capped at 52 weeks after 17 years of service.

In a fast-moving regulatory environment, HR and legal teams are under constant pressure to find reliable answers quickly...