Leading commentary and perspectives on employment and labor law
Embedding a trauma‑informed approach to workplace investigations requires visible leadership, ongoing training, robust policies, and proactive support for investigator wellbeing. Sustainable change comes from integrating these principles into organisational culture, ensuring investigations are fair, resilient, and protective of all participants.
The commitment to a trauma-informed approach to workplace investigations marks…
This article was co-authored with Arabella Cull.
Case update: Anthony Michael Gibson v Maritime New Zealand [2026] NZHC 813
On 31 March 2026, the High Court of New Zealand (HCNZ) dismissed the appeal of Anthony Gibson, the former CEO of Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL), and upheld his conviction and sentence by the District…
Over the past years, the use of Employers of Record (“EOR”) has significantly increased outside of Europe and is now also developing across European countries.
This growing interest is due to the EOR system offering increased flexibility to companies, in particular for those intending to expand their business in countries where they do…
On 18 March 2026, the European Commission published the proposal for a new, harmonised European legal form: the EU Inc.Under the EU Inc. companies could opt into a single, uniform set of rules applicable across the EU. Currently, differences between the 27 Member States in areas such as incorporation, governance, employment law and taxation create…
As of 1 January 2026, enforcement against false self‑employment by the Dutch Tax Administration has entered a new phase. From that date onwards, the Dutch Tax Administration are again able to impose penalty fines for culpable conduct (vergrijpboetes). However, as part of the so‑called “soft landing” regime no administrative default fines (verzuimboetes…
The Dutch government has proposed to limit the compensation for payment of the statutory severance payment (transitievergoeding) following dismissal after two years of illness to small employers only. Currently, there is no size threshold, and employers of all sizes are entitled to compensation from the Dutch Labour Office (UWV). The government…
Under the proposed legislative act, organisations employing ten or more employees will be required to adopt a formal code of conduct addressing undesirable behaviour in the workplace. This requirement builds on employers’ existing obligations under the Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet), which already requires employers to implement policies aimed at preventing and mitigating psychosocial…
On 7 April 2026, the Council of State (Raad van State) issued its opinion on the legislative proposal implementing the European Directive (EU) 2023/970 on pay transparency for men and women (Pay Transparency Directive). It introduces a package of measures aimed at promoting equal pay for men and women by increasing…
Trauma‑informed interviewing shifts workplace investigations from what may be perceived by employees as adversarial questioning to a structured, supportive dialogue that prioritises psychological safety, enhances memory recall, and produces more accurate and reliable accounts. By applying the techniques outlined in this article to interviews as part of workplace investigations, employers…
Procedural fairness and trauma‑informed practice are complementary approaches to investigations. By applying the three rules of procedural fairness, investigators create conditions for investigations that are both legally robust and psychologically safe. Employers should ensure investigators understand how trauma‑informed principles reinforce procedural fairness to deliver fair, transparent, and accurate outcomes.
In…
