Update CSDDD: Die europäische Lieferkettenrichtlinie kommt

Die EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben am 15.03.2024 der Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) zugestimmt, die Unternehmen verpflichtet, ihre Lieferketten auf nachhaltige Umwelt- und Arbeitspraktiken zu überprüfen. Nachdem die Abstimmung zuletzt mehrfach verschoben wurde, kam doch noch eine Einigung auf den Kompromissvorschlag der belgischen Ratspräsidentschaft zustande, welcher einen reduzierten Anwendungsbereich und eine gestaffelte Umsetzung vorsieht. Um die Richtlinie in nationales Recht umzusetzen, wird Deutschland vermutlich Anpassungen beim…

EU-Verordnung für entwaldungsfreie Produkte bringt „versteckte“ arbeitsrechtliche Sorgfaltspflichten

Am 30. Juni 2023 trat die EU-Verordnung zu entwaldungsfreien Lieferketten, die EU Deforestation Regulation (im Folgenden „EUDR“) in Kraft. Anders als der Name vielleicht vermuten lässt, ergeben sich aus dieser Regelung nicht nur umweltbezogene, sondern auch arbeitsrechtliche Sorgfaltspflichten in der Lieferkette. Insbesondere dann, wenn Sie in den Branchen Herstellung und Handel mit (bestimmten) Lebensmitteln oder Holz- und Papierprodukten, als Automobilzulieferer oder Hersteller technischer Bauteile aktiv…

Changes to Ukrainian immigration rules against a backdrop of war

In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the country is reforming its immigration policy to combat the severe labour shortage. The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for two years and has changed the lives of Ukrainians everywhere. Due to the danger in the country, 2.7 million Ukrainians, young and old, have left the country and have not returned. Most of those who left…

Refusing requests to work remotely in a hybrid workplace

Increasing office attendance remains high on the agenda for many employers, but upcoming changes to the UK flexible working regime could prompt more requests to work from home. A recent Employment Tribunal judgment provides employers with some comfort that, if handled correctly, they can refuse requests to work entirely remotely, especially from employees in managerial positions where a degree of in-person time may be needed….

New Year, new changes to HR rules in the Netherlands

Employers in the Netherlands should be aware that in addition to previously announced (expected) legislative changes, the following rules in the HR field have come into effect as of 1 January 2024. Statutory minimum hourly wage As of 1 January 2024, a legal minimum hourly wage applies to employees. For employees aged 21 and older, a single minimum hourly wage applies, regardless of the sector. This currently…

EU takes important step on supply chain due diligence

The European Commission and European Parliament recently reached agreement on the details of a new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The Directive will require large organisations to implement due diligence processes with regard to human rights and environmental impact in their supply chains. A number of European countries have legislation in place or under consideration requiring companies to perform supply chain due diligence. These rules…

Employer’s ‘springboard injunction’ attempt falls flat

On 4 January 2023, Hong Kong’s Court of First Instance refused to grant a ‘springboard injunction’ against a former employee to protect the employer’s confidential information. Background A former employee of DCL Communications left DCL in 2019, and more than 18 months later joined a competitor, Reach Technology Solutions Limited. Both DCL and Reach were in the business of providing services relating to IT infrastructure….

France reforms pension system

France adopted controversial changes to its pension system on 14 April 2023, with most relevant provisions coming into effect from 1 September. Here is an overview of some of the most important changes. Raising the minimum retirement age France’s statutory minimum retirement age is 62 for those born on or after 1 January 1955. However, in order to qualify for a full, maximum-rate pension at…

Belgium’s new whistleblowing law

The EU Whistleblowing Directive has been implemented in Belgium and SMEs have only until 17 December to act. Here we consider some of the key details of the new Belgian legislation. Background The EU Whistleblowing Directive had to be transposed into Belgian national law by 17 December 2021 at the latest. This deadline was not met by Belgium. The Directive was, however, transposed into Belgian…

Bringing employees back to the office

Remote work has proliferated since the pandemic, but now some companies are trying to bring their employees back to the office. What steps might employers need to take? Here we present insights from 17 jurisdictions. Background In recent years companies have implemented remote work schemes, both as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a measure to offer a better work-life balance to employees…