In the Spotlight
In the Spotlight
Regularly showcases one of the Squire Patton Boggs latest employment law resources that support global employment counsel and senior HR leaders. Please also check out our knowledge hub for details of our latest blogs, insights and events.
September 2023
Global Guide on Overseas Remote Working
We know that overseas remote working remains a hot topic for many of our clients. Our new Global Guide on Overseas Remote Working highlights the key issues for businesses to consider if they have staff living and working in one country for the benefit of a company in a different country, whether they are employed directly or via a Professional Employment Organisation/Employer of Record. It provides a high-level overview in relation to employment, immigration, tax and social security risks, as well as, where applicable, labour leasing restrictions and Posted Workers Directive obligations.
Read our new Global Guide on Overseas Remote Working
August 2023
UK Business Immigration: EU Settlement Scheme Enhancement
The UK government has announced changes to the EU Settlement Scheme from September 2023 which will affect those living in the UK with pre-settled status. The changes have been made following the case of R (Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements) v the Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022].
Further details can be found in our blog post.
Our webinar on UK Business Immigration – Ten Tricky Sponsor Compliance Issues provides further guidance on a range of sponsorship, visa and right to work challenges.
The New Oman Labor Law: Key Aspects Employers Need To Be Mindful Of
Nearly 18 months following the overhaul of the UAE’s federal employment legislation and the replacement of its previous 1980 framework by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 as amended and Cabinet Decision No. 1 of 2022 as amended (“New UAE Labor Law”), Royal Decree No. 35 of 2003 (“Old Oman Labor Law”) was equally replaced by an entirely new legislation, being Royal Decree No. 53 of 2023 (“New Oman Labor Law”). Under the New Oman Labor Law, businesses are granted a period of six months from the date of its enactment, i.e., July 26, 2023, to comply with its provisions.
Coming Soon to Labour Hire Near You: Same Job, Same Pay
The consultation paper from the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (Department) on the proposed Same Job, Same Pay measure sheds some guidance on the Labor government’s commitment to its proposal that labour hire workers are to be paid at least the same as directly engaged employees doing the same work. The government intends to legislate the Same Job, Same Pay measure in the spring 2023 sitting of Parliament, suggesting major changes are just around the corner.
July 2023
Global: Webinar Series – The Global Whistleblowing Landscape
Over the last 12 months, our global Labour & Employment team has seen a marked increase in queries from companies about staff blowing the whistle, and with various countries introducing greater legislative protection for whistleblowers this year, combined with increased demands for accountability and greater employee confidence, this trend seems set to continue.
In the first webinar in this short series, our panel of speakers discussed the whistleblowing landscape in key jurisdictions around the world, including the UK, Europe, the US and Asia Pacific, covering current trends, challenges and action points for global companies.
In the second webinar of the series, we took a closer look at how the EU Whistleblowing Directive is being implemented in Belgium, France and Germany.
In the third webinar of the series, we took a closer look at how the EU Whistleblowing Directive is being implemented in Italy, Spain and key jurisdictions in Central Europe.
June 2023
UK: Webinar – What Will the UK Government’s Proposals for Employment Law Reform Mean for Your Business?
A number of the proposals can be described as “tinkering around the edges”, but there are two key changes that could have more significant implications for businesses operating in the UK, namely the proposed amendments to the Working Time Regulations 1998 concerning holidays and holiday pay, and the introduction of a three-month statutory time limit on non-compete provisions.
Webinar recordings and presentation materials relating to 1) Reform of Non-compete Provisions and 2) Holidays and Holiday Pay are available online.
Further details can be found in our recent insight and blog post.
May 2023
Technology: Global HR Audit – Your Global Strategic HR Document and Policies Tool
Our updated Global HR Audit tool helps employers determine the HR documents and policies they should have in 37 countries around the world, as well as any they should consider having on a global basis. We have also included an environmental, social and governance (ESG) radar to the tool, to pinpoint those policies and documents that provide this opportunity for going beyond baseline compliance.
April 2023
Global: Webinar – Labour & Employment Virtual Panel Event: Professional Employer Organisations (PEOs)
Over the last few years, there has been growing interest from companies in engaging staff through PEOs, especially where they are looking to expand into new countries where they do not currently have a business presence.
Our panel of experts from our firm, partners Miriam Lampert (Labour & Employment), Annabel Mace (Business Immigration) and Patrick Ford (Tax Strategy & Benefits) will talk through some of the legal issues that global businesses need to be aware of when using PEOs.
A recording of this webinar is available to view online.
March 2023
Technology: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “At a Glance” Charts
Introducing our new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “At a Glance” Charts, which cover the key principles to support your business understand its obligations and opportunities and plan your DEI approach, beyond baseline compliance.
DEI is fundamental to the credentials of those businesses seeking investment along with a broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus. Even those businesses not concerned by ESG ratings and impact still are looking to encourage a more inclusive organisational culture with leadership that better reflects the communities in which they operate. A culture that nurtures, engages and rewards the talents of a diverse workforce, will lead to productivity gains and help strengthen the fabric of an organisation. And this is only likely to become more important in these turbulent geo-political and economic times.
Our easy-to-use “At a Glance” charts provide answers to some of the most common questions we receive including pay equity, data gathering and workforce reporting and beyond. The charts are available for free on Global Edge Lite (GE Lite).
Germany: Insight – German Federal Labour Court: Equal Pay Is Not a Matter of Negotiation
In Germany, pay equality between men and women is statistically not a reality. According to a survey conducted by the German Federal Statistical Office, women with comparable qualifications, jobs and employment histories earned, on average, 7% less per hour than their male colleagues in 2022. Due to absences caused by parental leave and part-time work, among other things, the pay gap is growing, resulting in a pay gap between men and women in Germany as high as 18% on average.
February 2023
Spain – Insight – Spanish Law Regulating the Protection of Persons Who Report Infringements Has Been Published
On 21 February 2023, Law 2/2023, regulating the protection of persons who report regulatory infringements and the fight against corruption (commonly referred to as “whistleblowing regulations”), was published in the Offcial State Gazette (BOE). It transposes Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019, known as the Whistleblowing Directive.
January 2023
Global: Snapshot – Hot Employment Law Topics for 2023
We asked the partners across our global Labor & Employment Practice to identify three or four key employment law topics for 2023 in their particular jurisdictions. Here is what they shared with us to help you in your decision-making for 2023 and beyond.
UAE: Insight – Extends Grace Period for Employees To Transition to Fixed-term Contracts to 31 December 2023
The Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (the New Labour Law) came into effect on 2 February 2022 and set a deadline of 1 February 2023 for private sector businesses (registered outside of the DIFC and ADGM) to convert all unlimited-term employment contracts of their workforce to fixed-term contracts.
December 2022
UK: UK Employment Law: Where Do We Currently Stand?
Our short snapshot will bring you up to speed with what’s happening on the employment law front in the UK, where you need to be and will help you with your 2023 priorities.