Tag archives: Employment

Government introduces legislative changes following the Respect@Work report

By Alexandra Shields and John Tullio on July 22, 2021 Posted in Australia, Discrimination and harassment

On 24 June 2021, the Federal Government introduced the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendments Bill 2021 (Cth) (Bill) into the Senate. The Bill amends both the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA) and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) in response to the Respect@Work report (the Report) and implements many of the recommendations of the Report. The Bill aims to “strengthen, simplify and streamline the legislative and regulatory frameworks that protect workers from sexual harassment and other forms of sex discrimination in the workplace.”

The Bill … Continue Reading

AHRC Report: ASX200 companies and sexual harassment

By Alexandra Shields and John Tullio on July 21, 2021 Posted in Australia, Discrimination and harassment

On 17 June 2021, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released the “Equality across the board: Investing in workplaces that work for everyone (2021)” report (AHRC Report). The report collates survey and interview data from 118 ASX200 listed companies to portray how these companies are currently combatting the issue of sexual harassment and makes recommendations based on these findings. The AHRC Report builds on the findings and recommendations set out in the Respect@Work report, which discusses the benefits of data collection and transparency around workplace sexual harassment.

The AHRC Report focusses on eight … Continue Reading

Germany: Relief for COVID-19 occupational health and safety

By Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on July 1, 2021 Posted in Europe, General, Germany

Declining infection figures and progress in the COVID-19 vaccination programme has prompted the German Federal Government to adapt the “SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance” (Corona-ArbSchV) (the Ordinance). The new regulations will come into force on July 1, 2021.… Continue Reading

US: DOL issues COBRA premium subsidy guidance and model notices

By Josh Owing (US) and Thomas Reddin (US) on May 12, 2021 Posted in North America, United States

The US Department of Labor recently published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and model notices for the new COBRA premium subsidy made available to many employees and their dependents under the American Rescue Plan Act. As explained in an earlier post, the new law allows “assistance eligible individuals” (AEIs) – defined as COBRA qualified beneficiaries who had a qualifying event due to a reduction in hours or an involuntary termination of employment, and who elect coverage – to receive fully subsidized COBRA continuation coverage for periods covering April 1 through September 30, 2021. The new law also extends … Continue Reading

COVID-19: Mandatory testing in companies

By Frank Weberndörfer and Claudia Posluschny on April 20, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, Germany

In view of worrying pandemic figures, the German Federal Government has amended the existing “SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance” (Corona-ArbSchV) (the Ordinance). Employers now face the additional obligation of offering COVID-19 testing to their employees, unless the employees work from home.

Introduction of mandatory testing… Continue Reading

US: Combating Human Trafficking of Domestic Workers In The United States

By Kevin Mayer (US) and Jackie Karama (US) on March 22, 2021 Posted in North America, United States

It is difficult to imagine that the evil of human trafficking, and all the pain and suffering it entails, can still be so pervasive this deep into the 21st Century. One would have expected that contemporary domestic and international law enforcement, to say nothing of the United Nations and all the monies it has at its disposal for such purposes, would serve as a resolute bulwark against this scourge of modern humanity. And yet it is a dominant player in the headlines as we learn daily of some new outrage perpetrated by those who would profit from human misery, sexual … Continue Reading

US: Latest California Labor & Employment Developments from January 2021

By Josh Henderson (US) on January 29, 2021 Posted in Coronavirus, General, North America, United States

This past month saw the inauguration of President Biden, who promptly took steps that will have an immediate impact on California employers. Plus, new COVID-related laws took effect, some expired (but may be re-enacted), and a federal appeals court eased the meal/rest break burden on the transportation industry. For a brief summary of these an other California labor and employment law developments from January 2021, read our California wrap-up: The top five employment and labor developments for California employers in January 2021.… Continue Reading

L’accord national interprofessionnel du 26 novembre 2020 : « soft law » à la française

By Elodie Grangier on December 30, 2020 Posted in Contracts, Coronavirus, Europe, France, General

Le télétravail s’est largement développé en France au fil des années, et naturellement, ce mode de travail a été particulièrement utilisé, bon gré mal gré, par les entreprises au cours de l’année 2020, à la faveur de la crise sanitaire, et des recommandations (plus ou moins liantes) du Gouvernement.

Les bases du télétravail ont été posées par un accord national interprofessionnel signé par les partenaires sociaux en 2005 (étendu en 2006), dont certaines dispositions ont été transposées par une loi du 22 mars 2012 dans le Code du travail. Ces règles ont eu pour objet de créer un véritable statut … Continue Reading

Can French employers require their employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine?

By Elodie Grangier on December 29, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France

Further to the approval by EU authorities of the vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, and further to the recommendations of the French Health authorities on the vaccination programme, the French vaccine campaign against Covid-19 was launched yesterday, at the same time as in all EU countries.

In France, the Government established a specific strategy regarding the vaccine campaign. This includes targeting the most vulnerable and exposed persons first, and progressively extending the Covid-19 vaccine to the rest of the population.

French employers are now asking whether they can insist that employees are vaccinated before returning to the workplace. However, … Continue Reading

Transfert partiel d’entreprise : les errements de la Cour de cassation

By Laure Joncour on November 25, 2020 Posted in France

Dans une décision du 30 septembre 2020, la Cour de cassation revient une nouvelle fois sur le sort des salariés transférés dans le cadre d’un transfert partiel d’entreprise.

Lorsqu’une partie de l’activité d’une entreprise est transférée à un repreneur, il convient de vérifier si les salariés transfèrent également à ce repreneur. Aux termes de l’article L1224-1 du Code du travail, le contrat de travail des salariés attachés à cette activité est automatiquement transféré au repreneur si une entité économique autonome est transférée.

L’entité économique autonome est définie par une jurisprudence constante comme un ensemble organisé de personnes et d’éléments corporels … Continue Reading

Détenir un motif sérieux de congédiement ne cautionne pas tout comportement – Rappel de savoir-vivre pour les employeurs québécois

By Xavier Hamel on September 23, 2020 Posted in Canada, Québec

Le 10 août dernier, la Cour d’appel dans l’affaire Carignan c. Maison Carignan Inc.^[1] rendait une décision dans laquelle elle conclut à un abus de droit de l’employeur dans l’exercice de son droit de congédier l’un de ses employés.

Quels sont les faits de cette affaire?

D’abord suspendu avec solde pour les fins d’une enquête, le cofondateur de l’entreprise de l’employeur, occupant alors le poste de directeur général au sein de celle-ci, et ce, depuis 25 ans, s’était vu signifier par huissier une lettre lui annonçant son congédiement. Après avoir vu son recours pour congédiement sans motif sérieux … Continue Reading

Ontario employers, cover up! Mandatory face-covering orders now in effect in Toronto, Ottawa, and beyond

By Stéphane Erickson and Conrad Flaczyk on August 21, 2020 Posted in Canada, Coronavirus

While Stage 3 allows many businesses in Ontario to reopen and to welcome returning employees back to the physical workplace, employers and service providers—as operators of enclosed public spaces and establishments—must meet certain recently announced conditions. As of July 7, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., these conditions now include the mandatory covering of the mouth, nose and chin for members of the public and employees in indoor public spaces in Ontario’s two largest municipalities, Toronto and Ottawa. On July 30, 2020, the Province of Ontario unveiled its plan for reopening schools in the 2020-2021 school year, which will require students … Continue Reading

Blog Update NOW 2.0

By Christine Daniels, Maartje Govaert, Annette van Beers and Maartje van der Molen on June 17, 2020 Posted in Europe

Employment Emergency Fund (NOW) – NOW 2.0

On March 31, 2020, the Dutch government first published the Employment Emergency Fund (Tijdelijke noodmaatregel overbrugging voor behoud van werkgelegenheid, NOW 1.0). Please read more about this here

The initial period of the fund ended on 31 May, 2020 but allowed for a one time extension for an additional three month period. On 20 May, 2020 the Dutch government announced the extension of NOW and certain further amendments to NOW 1.0. The extension fund is called NOW 2.0. Below we discuss the key characteristics of NOW 2.0 and important changes made to … Continue Reading

US: Return to work considerations for New York employers during COVID-19 pandemic

By Nandini Rao (US) and Rachel Kurth (US) on June 12, 2020 Posted in North America, United States

Businesses with operations in New York State and, particularly, in New York City, face unique obstacles with respect to reopening their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 380,000 confirmed cases across the state, and over 200,000 confirmed cases in New York City, most New York residents have been affected by the virus in some way, and many are apprehensive about reentering the workplace. New York City’s dense population of over 8 million residents and approximately 10 million commuters — many of whom rely on public transportation — undoubtedly exacerbates these concerns. In light of these concerns, Governor Cuomo extended … Continue Reading

US: Return to work in an office environment: Employer considerations and best practices

By Barbara D'Aquila on May 19, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

Many businesses quickly shifted to remote work, where possible, and abandoned operations in an office setting when COVID-19 became a pandemic or when jurisdictions required or encouraged people to stay at home. Now, as these businesses contemplate resuming operations in the general office setting, they are grappling with a myriad of issues and concerns. See our article COVID-19: Best practice considerations for resuming work in an office setting for employer considerations for resuming work in the office setting, including advice on determining when to reopen, determining modifications to be made in the workplace, employee communication and training considerations, implementing the … Continue Reading

End of the lockdown in France: what are the precautions for employers operating in France?

By Elodie Grangier on May 14, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France

On 7 May, the French Prime Minister announced the date chosen for the start of the “de-confinement” phase for France, namely 11 May 2020.

The lockdown, which started on 17 March, lasted almost 2 months during which some shops and businesses were closed, and the vast majority of companies operated on the basis of remote working. The lockdown weighed heavily on the national economy, with 12.2 million employees now covered by the short-time working scheme (i.e. six out of ten jobs in the private sector).

While public health has obviously been the government’s primary consideration in setting the plan to … Continue Reading

La France sort du confinement : Quelles précautions pour les employeurs ?

By Elodie Grangier on May 12, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France

Le 7 mai dernier, le Premier Ministre a annoncé la date retenue pour le début de la phase de déconfinement des Français dans le cadre du plan de lutte contre le Covid-19, à savoir le 11 mai 2020.

Le confinement, qui a commencé le 17 mars dernier, aura duré près de 2 mois durant lesquels certains commerces et entreprises ont été fermés, et la grande majorité des entreprises a fonctionné sur la base du télétravail. Le confinement aura lourdement pesé sur l’économie nationale, 12,2 millions de salariés étant aujourd’hui couverts par le dispositif du chômage partiel (soit six emplois sur … Continue Reading

France implements new social measures to face the pandemic

By Elodie Grangier on April 7, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France

The first COVID-19 cases appeared in France a few weeks ago and French people have been in lockdown since March 17. The repercussions of this pandemic are significant, and the Government has been authorized, by Emergency Act No. 2020-290 of 23 March 2020, to take measures through ordinances (which means that no debate is required before Parliament, and the ordinances are voted directly by the Council of Ministers).

Several ordinances on employment-related matters were adopted by the Council of Ministers on 27 March 2020, and published. A decree was also issued to extend the rules of reduction in activity (short-time … Continue Reading

La France face à la pandémie : les mesures sociales s’organisent

By Elodie Grangier on April 1, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France

Le COVID-19 a fait son apparition en France il y a quelques semaines déjà et les Français sont confinés depuis le 17 mars dernier. Les répercussions de cette pandémie sont importantes, et le Gouvernement a été autorisé, par la loi n° 2020-290 du 23 mars 2020 d’urgence pour faire face à l’épidémie de covid-19, à prendre des mesures par voie d’ordonnance.

Plusieurs ordonnances ont été adoptées en Conseil des ministres le 27 mars 2020, et publiées au Journal Officiel, en matière sociale. Un décret est venu élargir les règles de l’activité partielle. De nouvelles ordonnances sont par ailleurs venues compléter … Continue Reading

France combats the pandemic

By Elodie Grangier on March 25, 2020 Posted in Europe, France

Since January 2020, Coronavirus COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world, causing massive disruption to business and everyday life as well as thousands of deaths.

The French Government has reacted in several stages. After issuing recommendations for barrier measures, it decided to close schools and more recently, it ordered the general confinement of French people and the closure of many establishments deemed non-essential in order to protect public health. The Government’s latest recommendations for employers can be found here (available in French only).

Consequently, for companies operating in France, three types of employees can be distinguished (excluding sick employees, who … Continue Reading

Comment faire face au Coronavirus en France?

By Elodie Grangier on March 23, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, Europe, France, General

Depuis le mois de janvier 2020, l’épidémie de Coronavirus COVID-19 s’est rapidement propagée à travers le monde, causant des milliers de décès.

Le Gouvernement français a réagi en plusieurs temps : après avoir émis des recommandations en matière de gestes barrière, il a ensuite pris la décision de fermer écoles et établissements accueillant des enfants, puis plus récemment a été ordonné le confinement généralisé de la population française et la fermeture de nombreux établissements jugés non indispensables, afin d’assurer la santé publique. Les dernières recommandations du Gouvernement pour les employeurs peuvent être consultées ici.

Dès lors, pour les entreprises ayant … Continue Reading

US employment law considerations for COVID-19 coronavirus

By Joseph Dole (US), Marjorie Glover (US), Nandini Rao (US) and Andrew Yeh (US) on March 6, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus, North America, United States

COVID-19, the 2019 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19” or the “coronavirus”) is naturally on the minds of US employers as the number of cases in the US continues to rise. Although the Centers for Disease Control is still advising that most people in the US have a low immediate risk of exposure, that could change and employers are well advised to consider some basic questions that could arise in the future. We pose and answer some of those basic questions in our article US employers must consider multiple legal requirements when addressing coronavirus concerns. Remember that individual situations can vary and … Continue Reading

Négligence criminelle causant la mort – Peine sévère imposée à un employeur

By Megda Belkacemi on February 7, 2020 Posted in Canada, Québec

Dans une récente décision[1], la Cour du Québec (Chambre criminelle et pénale) s’est prononcée quant à la détermination de la peine à l’encontre de l’entreprise C.F.G. Construction inc. Cette entreprise avait été déclarée coupable[2] de négligence criminelle causant la mort de l’un de ses employés, en vertu des dispositions du Code criminel[3] traitant de la responsabilité pénale des organisations, et mieux connu sous le nom « Loi C-21 » (ou encore, « Projet de loi C-45 »).

FAITS

En septembre 2012, un travailleur de l’entreprise C.F.G. Construction inc. décède lors d’un accident impliquant un camion lourd … Continue Reading