Belgium: overview of the key measures of the bill on the single status for blue and white-collar workers

The bill the government adopted on September 27 lays down the foundation to permanently get rid of the outdated difference between blue and white-collar workers.  This complicated text nevertheless clarifies several gray areas hovering over the historical compromise it transposes, which the social partners reached in July.  However, for the social partners, the issues of layoff grounds and managing absenteeism after the removal of the waiting day are still open and a new trial of strength is about to start between employers and unions.  (Ref.  130617)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

More flexible notices. The harmonization of the notice period between blue-collar and white-collar workers was at the heart of the bill introducing a single status, adopted on September 27 (see article No. 130573). Now, the notice when the employer terminates the contract applies to all and ranges between 2 weeks when the worker has been in the company for less than 3 months up to 15 weeks for workers who spent between 4 months and 5 years in the company. Beyond that limit, the notice will

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...
Belgium: Government Proposes Annualised Working Time
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft bill introducing annualised working time, allowing hours to be averaged over a full year rather than on a weekly...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Greece fifth country to finalise transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The info. On 6 July, Greece finalised the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive with the enactment of the law and its publication in the Official Gazette. Most of its provisions...
2
EU: the Commission launches the second phase of consultation on quality jobs
Eight months after the first phase, the European Commission finally launched the second stage of consultation with social partners on 20 July for an initiative on quality jobs expected by the end...
21 July 2026
3
Belgium: Government Proposes Annualised Working Time
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft bill introducing annualised working time, allowing hours to be averaged over a full year rather than on a weekly...
4
Poland: Senate passes workplace psychological harassment bill
The news. On 8 July 2026, the Polish Senate passed a bill aimed at tackling workplace psychological harassment. The legislation clarifies the definition of psychological harassment, or mobbing, in...
5
France : PwC strengthens its diversity policy despite the shadow of Trump
The info. Questioned by mind HR on the HR strategy of the audit and advisory firm PwC regarding AI (7,000 employees), the HR Director of its France and Maghreb subsidiary Sophie Mouhieddine also...
6
Poland: decree sets maximum workplace temperatures
The news. On 9 July, Poland’s Minister of Labour, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, signed a decree introducing new obligations for employers during heatwaves. The regulation establishes...