Worldwide: Employment and HR

The Dutch government has proposed a complete withdrawal of the transition payment compensation scheme for employers, reversing its original plan to merely restrict it to small employers. This significant policy shift raises critical questions about the future of dormant employment contracts and the legal obligations of employers when terminating employees after long-term illness, particularly in light of the landmark Xella ruling.

Germany's proposed employment law reform would allow employers to terminate high earners earning above EUR 177,450 annually in exchange for court-determined severance, even after losing unfair dismissal litigation.

Germany's coalition government has proposed sweeping reforms to employment law that could fundamentally reshape fixed-term contracts, dismissal protection, co-determination rights, and sick leave reporting. The measures aim to strengthen Germany's competitiveness amid technological change, demographic pressure, and international competition, offering employers significantly expanded flexibility while tightening certain compliance requirements.

When a worker raises a protected disclosure in Ireland, employers must follow specific legal procedures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. This video outlines the critical steps organisations need to take, from establishing internal reporting channels to conducting proper investigations and avoiding criminal offences. Understanding these requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and protecting both whistleblowers and the organisation.

German employment law requires employees to cooperate with internal investigations through fact-finding interviews, but this duty operates within strict boundaries of fairness, proportionality, and whistleblower protection. Organizations must balance their need to secure facts quickly with procedural safeguards including corporate counsel warnings, neutral questioning, representation rights, and compliance with the Whistleblower Protection Act's confidentiality and anti-retaliation requirements.

Irish employers must navigate a complex landscape of mandatory workplace policies, from disciplinary procedures to whistleblowing protections. Understanding which policies are legally required, how to implement them effectively, and how to keep them current can mean the difference between compliance and costly disputes.

The Dutch government has proposed a complete withdrawal of the transition payment compensation scheme for employers, reversing its original plan to merely restrict it to small employers. This significant policy shift raises critical questions about the future of dormant employment contracts and the legal obligations of employers when terminating employees after long-term illness, particularly in light of the landmark Xella ruling.

An employment contract establishes the framework of the relationship between an employer and an employee. It will usually deal with matters such as salary, working hours, duties, leave, probation and termination, but its importance goes considerably further.

Germany's proposed employment law reform would allow employers to terminate high earners earning above EUR 177,450 annually in exchange for court-determined severance, even after losing unfair dismissal litigation.

This comprehensive employment law update examines critical WRC decisions from August 2026, including substantial awards for pregnancy discrimination, parent's leave violations, and disability accommodation failures. The analysis also covers the Government's proposed Leave for Pregnancy Loss Bill and highlights emerging compliance risks around minimum wage, working time records, and fair dismissal procedures.

Explore key employment law updates shaping the business landscape across the APAC region, including labour reforms, AI regulation, expanded employee protections, and significant court decisions that are transforming workplace practices throughout Asia-Pacific.

Ireland's Labour Court has released its 2025 Annual Report, revealing an 11% decrease in case referrals alongside increasingly complex workplace disputes spanning employment rights appeals, industrial relations matters, and collective bargaining agreements. The report highlights significant legal developments including High Court appeals on European Works Councils and collective redundancies, while demonstrating the Court's expanding role in setting employment standards through Employment Regulation Orders