Be Global: Employment law in 5

Review: Updated Guide to Gender Pay Transparency

A new edition of Gender pay transparency: A global guide to employer obligations is now available to GENIE subscribers to support compliance with new requirements and planning for upcoming changes. This edition includes content for 57 countries around the world. It also details the status of local implementation of the EU Gender Pay Transparency Directive and likely key impacts in each Member State.

 

Monitor: UK election implications for employers

More than 50 countries are set to hold elections in 2024 and the UK’s 4 July election is almost upon us. If, as is widely anticipated, the Labour Party form the next government, radical changes to the employment law landscape are anticipated. The Labour Party plans to target six policy areas: ending ‘one-sided flexibility’, family friendly rights, fair pay, voice at work, equality at work, and rights at work. See our analysis of the Labour and Conservative manifesto pledges on employment law and request access to our webinar.

 

Poland finally implements Whistleblowing Directive

The process of implementing the Whistleblowing Directive in Poland came to an end with the official publication of the law on 24 June 2024. Most provisions of the Polish law will come into force on 25 September 2024.

See our Guide to Implementation of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive for information on laws in 19 other EU Member States.

 

Spotlight: Developments in the Middle East

A new Mental Health Law took effect on 30 May in the UAE; recent amendments to private sector laws in Bahrain increased women’s rights in the workplace and protections for pregnant and working mothers; the Abu Dhabi Global Market published a consultation paper on a proposed whistleblowing framework; and each Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state issued modifications to summer working hours.

 

Spotlight: Developments in the Americas

In the US, the Supreme Court is wrapping up its 2023-24 term. Recent decisions reel in the National Labor Relations Board, ease the path for discriminatory transfer claims, and reinforce US public policy favoring arbitration. Watch for our Supreme Court Round-Up, which will include some of the most significant decisions expected in late June/early July.

States and localities remain active. For example, California’s Governor announced a tentative agreement to reform PAGA; employers must comply with new workplace violence prevention requirements by July 1; and the Cal/OSHA Standards Board approved an indoor heat rule, which could take effect as early as August. In New York, effective June 19, a new law requires employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time to express breast milk. On the pay equity front, Vermont is the latest state to adopt a pay transparency law, while compliance with the District of Columbia’s law begins on June 30.

In Canada, governments in British Columbia and Manitoba introduced legislation that increases risks for businesses during work stoppages; Quebec proposed changes to workplace psychological harassment legislation; legislative amendments have been made or proposed regarding provincial leave of absence entitlements; changes to provincial minimum wages are taking effect; federally-regulated employers face deadlines for pay equity plans; and proposed legislation would address misclassification of workers and require employers to implement a policy on disconnecting from work. For more developments, watch our Canadian Employment and Labour Law Spring Update webinar here and access the materials here.

In Brazil, companies that promote mental health can obtain a certificate, while new legislation in Puerto Rico clarifies the scope of protection for collaborating with investigations and increases the minimum wage.