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Remuneration of works councils: Liability trap for HR managers

Photo of Claudia PosluschnyPhoto of Frank WeberndörferBy Claudia Posluschny and Frank Weberndörfer on Posted in Europe, General, Germany
The remuneration of employee representatives on works councils is intended to save employers money and at the same time ensure cooperation based on trust. In a recent decision, the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH, 10.01.2023 – 6 StR 133/22) sets strict requirements for the legality of the level of such remuneration and does not … Continue reading

Vergütung von Betriebsräten: Haftungsfalle für Personalverantwortliche

Photo of Claudia PosluschnyPhoto of Frank WeberndörferBy Claudia Posluschny and Frank Weberndörfer on Posted in Europe, General, Germany
Die Vergütung von Betriebsräten soll Arbeitgebern Geld sparen und gleichzeitig eine vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit sicherstellen. Der Bundesgerichtshof macht in einer jüngeren Entscheidung strenge Vorgaben zur deren Rechtmäßigkeit (BGH, 10.01.2023 – 6 StR 133/22) und schließt eine mögliche Strafbarkeit wegen vorsätzlicher Untreue bei überhöhten Entgelten nicht aus. Arbeitgeber sollten diese Entscheidung zum Anlass nehmen, ihre bisherige Vergütungspraxis … Continue reading

CMA Advice on how to avoid anti-competitive behaviour

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in General, UK
On 9 February the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) published a short guidance note for employers on how to avoid anti-competitive behaviour. The aim of the guide is to boost compliance with the rules regarding anti-competitive behaviour and to remind employers of their legal obligations.  The CMA points out that anti-competitive agreements can negatively impact … Continue reading

A last sunset for Zombie Agreements

Photo of Melinda BellPhoto of Jessica KamlehPhoto of Phina ConroyBy Melinda Bell, Jessica Kamleh and Phina Conroy on Posted in Australia, General
In the second update in our series, we take a closer look at the key amendments introduced by the Fair Work Legislation (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Secure Jobs Act) which significantly amended the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). Our article summarising the key changes can be accessed here. This update … Continue reading

Changes to family and domestic violence leave in Australia

Photo of Melinda BellPhoto of Jessica KamlehPhoto of Phina ConroyBy Melinda Bell, Jessica Kamleh and Phina Conroy on Posted in Australia, General
From today, Australian permanent and casual employees working for non-small business employers can access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave (FDV Leave) every 12 months to deal with the impacts of family and domestic violence. This new entitlement replaces the previous National Employment Standards entitlement to 5 days of unpaid FDV Leave. Employees … Continue reading

Changes to the Fair Work Act – a closer look

Photo of Melinda BellPhoto of Jessica KamlehPhoto of Phina ConroyBy Melinda Bell, Jessica Kamleh and Phina Conroy on Posted in Australia, General
Terminating enterprise agreements past their nominal expiry The Fair Work Legislation (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Secure Jobs Act) received Royal Assent on 6 December 2022, significantly amending the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). Our article summarising the changes can be accessed here. This update is the first in a series of updates taking … Continue reading

Germany – What to expect in 2023

Photo of Claudia PosluschnyPhoto of Frank WeberndörferBy Claudia Posluschny and Frank Weberndörfer on Posted in Europe, General, Germany
German employment law will introduce numerous innovations and planned changes in 2023 that HR managers should be aware of. New legislation enters into force A number of new regulations have been in force since 1 January 2023. For example, employees with statutory health insurance will no longer have to submit a certificate of incapacity for … Continue reading

Employment Law – What to expect in 2023

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in General, UK
Last year saw little legislative changes in the UK with regard to employment law.  However, there may be changes of interest for employment lawyers over the coming year.   This blog post looks at what changes employers can expect in relation to employment law this year and what steps they should be taking to prepare for … Continue reading

COMMENT GERER AU MIEUX LE CSE DANS LES TRANSACTIONS COMMERCIALES

Photo of Marie-Thérèse EugénioBy Marie-Thérèse Eugénio on Posted in General
En matière sociale, l’un des points clés à prendre en considération dans les transactions commerciales, en particulier dans les transactions internationales, est l’implication éventuelle du comité social et économique (“CSE”).  C’est en effet un sujet à ne pas négliger compte tenu des pouvoirs importants attribués au CSE et de l’impact qu’une procédure d’information et de … Continue reading

Employment law – Government backing of Private Members Bills

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in General, UK
In the Queen’s speech in December 2019 the Government announced its intention to bring about changes to employment laws in a new Employment Bill.  These changes included provisions relating to carers leave, extension of protection for employees on maternity leave, rights regarding tips and gratuities, the right to request a more predictable and stable contract … Continue reading

Working time compliance: Legal obligation to record working time

Photo of Claudia PosluschnyPhoto of Frank WeberndörferBy Claudia Posluschny and Frank Weberndörfer on Posted in Europe, General, Germany
The German Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht – BAG) has now published the reasons for its much-noted decision of 13 September 2022 (ref. 1 ABR 22/21). It is now clear that the recording of working time is a fundamental duty of occupational health and safety and must be observed. However, employers still have to wait for … Continue reading

Arbeitszeit-Compliance: Zeiterfassung zwingend erforderlich

Photo of Claudia PosluschnyPhoto of Frank WeberndörferBy Claudia Posluschny and Frank Weberndörfer on Posted in Europe, General, Germany
Das Bundesarbeitsgericht (BAG) veröffentlichte nun die Entscheidungsgründe zu seiner vielbeachteten Entscheidung vom 13.09.2022 (Az. 1 ABR 22/21). Nunmehr ist klar, dass die Arbeitszeiterfassung als grundlegende Pflicht des betrieblichen Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutzes gilt und verbindlich zu beachten ist. Bei wichtigen Detailfragen müssen Arbeitgeber jedoch noch auf die Klarstellung durch den Gesetzgeber warten. (English version available here) … Continue reading

CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS: DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE FRENCH WORKS COUNCIL

Photo of Marie-Thérèse EugénioBy Marie-Thérèse Eugénio on Posted in General
One of the main employment aspects to be taken into consideration in corporate transactions, in particular in multijurisdictional ones, is the potential role of the works councils.  This is a particularly hot topic when it comes to France where the social and economic committee (known as the CSE) has important powers and its involvement can … Continue reading

New WHS legal duties to manage psychosocial hazards in the workplace

Photo of Katherine MorrisPhoto of Annika MartzBy Katherine Morris and Annika Martz on Posted in Australia, General
Legal obligations requiring persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to manage psychosocial hazards in accordance with work health and safety (WHS) laws are continuing to come into effect across the country. Psychosocial hazards are hazards that may cause psychological and/or physical harm arising from, or in relation to, the design or management of work, … Continue reading

EAT decision reminds employers of the need for genuine consultation and reasonable selection criteria when carrying out redundancies 

Photo of Joanna MacKenzieBy Joanna MacKenzie on Posted in General, UK
In the recent case of Mogane v Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2022] UKEAT 139, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) found that the redundancy dismissal of a fixed term employee was unfair due to a lack of genuine consultation and the use of arbitrary selection criteria.   The Claimant, Ms Mogane, was employed as … Continue reading

Can an employer settle future statutory claims in a settlement agreement?

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) and Safwan Afridi on Posted in General, UK
Employees may have claims against their employer that can arise during the recruitment process, the employment or on termination.  In this case, the parties may enter into a formal settlement agreement to settle most statutory employment claims.  In order for any such agreement to be binding it must satisfy certain conditions.  The extent of these … Continue reading

Let’s Get This Straight: Entitlement to Overtime under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act

Photo of Margaret McConnellBy Margaret McConnell on Posted in Canada, General
Employee entitlement to overtime wages under the British Columbia Employment Standards Act (the “ESA”) is often misunderstood. Common mistakes include assuming that entitlement to overtime wages is based on how an employee is paid (hourly, monthly salary, annual salary, etc.) or that employees that have not been expressly asked or authorized to work overtime are … Continue reading

Italy’s Jobs Act under scrutiny: Are critics missing the big picture?

Photo of Attilio PavoneBy Attilio Pavone on Posted in Europe, General, Italy
In the final days of the particularly tense campaign leading up to the parliamentary election in Italy, politicians from all sides of the political spectrum made bold proclamations on a variety of topics; for the most part, this was predictable and inevitable. Nevertheless, it was surprising to read the statements made by two former labour … Continue reading

Philosophical and religious beliefs: Balancing the issues

Photo of Amanda Sanders (UK)By Amanda Sanders (UK) on Posted in General, UK
Two recent employment cases regarding “gender critical” beliefs have highlighted the difficulties in this area and whether such beliefs are capable of protection under the Equality Act 2010. Religion or belief is one of the nine protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.  The Act prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation in … Continue reading

Global Employment Law – Work from Anywhere: Leadership Challenges – Transforming Workplace -#17

Photo of Jason NoakesBy Jason Noakes on Posted in Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, General, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Middle East, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, The Netherlands, UK, United States, Venezuela
This is the 17th paper in our Transforming Workplace series. In our earlier article, we explored why employees’ expectations of their leaders have changed and why organisations need to upgrade leaders’ skills and behaviours.   In this paper we now examine ow organisations can upskill their leaders to meet the specific leadership challenges arising from ‘work … Continue reading
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