EU: European Parliament votes to strengthen role of European Works Councils European legislation A report drafted by German MEP Dennis Radtke, which urges the European Commission to revise the 2009 directive on European Works Councils, was supported by the European Parliament in a vote on 2 February 2023.…
Poland: remote work now regulated by law National legislation An amendment recently adopted by the Polish parliament provides a definition for remote work and sets out procedures for how such arrangements should be implemented at companies. With remote work now a feature of the country's labour code, employees may voluntarily opt for this, provided their employer agrees, on a regular or occasional basis.
Spain: minimum salary level raised 8% National legislation The minimum wage floor has risen to €1,080 gross per month over 14 months, representing 60% of the average wage in Spain, as recommended by the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages. The minimum level has thus been raised by 47% over the last five years as the gap narrows compared to the legal minima applying across the rest of the European Union.
Schneider Electric develops the ‘career conversation’ to enable older workers express their career choices Professional development Le spécialiste des équipements électriques a lancé, courant 2021, un programme mondial dédié aux salariés de plus de 50 ans, afin de mobiliser leur potentiel et les accompagner dans leurs souhaits d’évolution tant professionnelle que personnelle. Au cœur du dispositif, “la conversation de carrière” : un échange approfondi entre le senior et son manager pour aider ce dernier à formuler ses attentes pour les dix ou quinze ans à venir.
The Netherlands: Senate adopts bill amending Whistleblowers Act National legislation On 24 January 2023, after more than a year’s delay, the Dutch Senate finally adopted the bill protecting whistleblowers. The European Commission had launched an infringement procedure against the Dutch state because of the late implementation of the EU Directive 2019/1937.…
United Kingdom: companies pledge support to employees going through divorce An array of major UK companies – including supermarkets Asda and Tesco, banks NatWest and Metro Bank, consulting group PwC, consumer goods giant Unilever and telecommunications group Vodafone – have committed, for the very first time, to supporting staff members that are going through a divorce or separation. By joining the Positive Parenting Alliance (PPA), the companies have pledged to deploy HR policies to support staff, such as flexible working and access to counselling.
Interview Franck Bodikian (ManpowerGroup France): “We must ensure that we maintain a balance between the generations” On 30 June 2022, the staffing firm ManpowerGroup France (3,500 permanent employees) signed a new employment and career management agreement (GEPP) that introduces specific training measures for employees aged over 55. Concurrently, the employment company signed the charter initiated by the L'Oréal group and the think tank Club Landoy to promote the role of people over 50 in the company. In this piece, Franck Bodikian, Manpower Group HR Director for France, talks to mind RH about the company's commitments to its older employees.
Portugal: 20 days of bereavement leave for the death of a spouse National legislation On 23 January 2023, Portugal’s parliamentarians approved an amendment to the country’s labour code that increases paid bereavement leave for the death of a spouse from an original 5 days to 20 days.…
EU: EU Commission launches plan to strengthen European social dialogue European legislation On 25 January 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for a recommendation comprising a series of measures to encourage the EU Member States to strengthen social dialogue at national level. The EU Commission also published a communication listing future initiatives to reinforce and promote European social dialogue, while employers continue to block several of them.
Great Britain: consultation launched to finalise the code of practice combatting the wave of ‘fire and rehire’ National legislation On 24 January 2023, the UK executive opened a 12-week consultation aimed at finalising its Draft Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement. The code,…
