The cost of living crisis: frequently asked questions

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, a growing number of employers are facing demands for pay increases at best, and threats of strikes at worst. What can UK employers do to support employees struggling with rising prices, and what employment law implications might there be? With high inflation and prices for energy, food and fuel soaring, the UK is grappling with the worst ‘cost-of-living’ crisis in…

World Mental Health Day: what’s changing in the workplace

The World Health Organization has designated 10 September as ‘World Mental Health Day’. Work can be vital for our mental wellbeing, giving purpose and financial stability, but there is also a growing awareness of the dangers of anxiety, depression and burnout in the workplace. How are Mexico and other countries tackling the issue? Fifteen million Mexicans live with employment-related stress, which accounts for three in…

‘Quiet quitting’: emerging issues and the future of work

‘Quiet quitting’ has made headlines worldwide this year, including in Canada. What, if anything, should employers be doing about this apparent trend? Chances are, you’ve already heard of ‘quiet quitting’. From Tik-Tok to the Wall Street Journal, this is the latest trend that everyone’s talking about. ‘Quiet quitting’ doesn’t mean quitting your job, quietly or otherwise. It refers to clocking in at work when you’re…

Tesla restriction on workplace union clothing ruled unlawful

The US National Labor Relations Board has held Tesla’s dress code, which has the effect of preventing certain workers from wearing clothing supporting their union, is not lawful. The ruling confirms employers must show ‘special circumstances’ for dress codes that directly or indirectly outlaw union insignias. Executive Summary On 29 August 2022, in a 3-2 decision, the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board)…

The EU approves a minimum wage Directive: what does it say?

On 14 September, the European Parliament approved a Directive introducing the principle of a minimum wage in the European Union. What does it say, and will it herald a new era for collective bargaining? Summary On 14 September 2022, the European Parliament voted to approve a Directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU, with 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions. The…

Do employees have a right to work remotely?

A court in Israel has ruled that a company was entitled to turn down an employee’s request to work remotely. In a ruling recently issued by the Tel Aviv District Labour Court in the case of the Middle East Pipeline Company, the district court discussed a claim lodged by an employee, who worked as a payroll accountant, that her employer discriminated against her in comparison…

Facing the cost-of-living crisis: French employment initiatives

Europe is facing a cost-of-living crisis with spiralling food and fuel costs, in part as a result of the Ukraine war. In France, the minimum wage has been increased and a major package of measures designed to help employees deal with rising costs was published on 17 August 2022. Minimum wage On 1 August 2022, the French minimum wage (the salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance,…

What’s new in the gig economy? A global round-up

The dramatic expansion of the gig economy, turbo-charged during the pandemic, continues across the world. However there is still no global consensus on the status of digital platform workers and how they should be treated. The deadline for EU member states to implement the EU Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive fell on August 2022. The Directive includes various provisions, including a right to request…

The climate emergency: the missing factor in remote working requests?

Tackling the climate emergency should be high on everyone’s agenda. But should employers give greater weight to the environment when deciding whether to say yes or no to an employee’s request to do their job remotely? One of the legacies of the COViD-19 pandemic is that remote working has become normal. Workers in the so-called knowledge economy are now commonly working remotely on a hybrid…

Does a new Dutch law let employees ‘work where you want’?

Employers in the Netherlands may soon be required to balance their own and employees’ interests when evaluating a request to work from another place within the EU. But does this mean employees could work from anywhere they want? On 5 July 2022, a proposal for a ‘Work Where You Want’ Act was adopted by the Dutch House of Representatives. The proposal was subjected to a…