Brexit: negotiations recommence Monday, following May’s first public call for a transition period

The fourth round of Brexit negotiations are scheduled to commence today, Monday 25 September, in Brussels. The recommencement of talks comes days after a speech from UK prime minister Theresa May, made in Florence on 22 September, in which she called for a softer break between the country and the European Union, including a transition period of around two years. Her offer would allow existing trade partnerships and the free movement of migrants to continue, until a new (and unprecedented, Ms May hopes) deal is drawn up. While the view of the rest of the EU remains to be seen, companies in the UK have welcomed the news. 
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

A period of implementation would be in our mutual interest.” It was with these words that Theresa May appeared to make a first step towards a soft Brexit, the approach that has been favoured by UK businesses recent months. In her speech in Florence on Friday, the UK prime minister said: “How long the period is should be determined simply by how long it will take to prepare and implement the new processes and new systems that will underpin that future partnership,” adding the rough estimate of “

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
France: CMA-CGM seeks to adapt professional equality to seafaring roles
The news. On 23 March 2026, the shipowner CMA-CGM (17,600 employees in France) and the CFDT, CFE-CGC, and FO unions signed a gender equality agreement for the 2026-2030 period, as identified by...
Germany: crisis and transformation wage agreement in the chemical sector
Following a two-day marathon negotiation in Bad Breisig (Western Germany), the social partners of the German chemical and pharmaceutical industries—the IG BCE trade union and the BAVC employers'...
27 March 2026
Malta: a draft amendment to better protect against workplace harassment
The news. On 23 February 2026, the Maltese government introduced a draft amendment to the Employment and Industrial Relations Act, seeking to expand the scope of protection against workplace...
Italy: parental leave extended until the child’s 14th birthday
The 2026 Italian Finance Act has extended optional parental leave, which can now be taken until the child is 14 years old, up from 12 previously. This leave has a maximum duration of 10 or 11...
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
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
2
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
3
France: La Poste to launch negotiations for an AI agreement
Following the lead of firms such as Axa, Syensqo globally, and more recently CDC Habitat, La Poste group management will open negotiations on an AI regulation agreement during the first half of...
4
France: Club Med includes “multiculturalism” in its professional equality agreement
In December 2025, Club Med and the CFTC, Unsa, and FO trade unions signed an agreement on professional equality and working conditions. It introduces measures addressing AI, pay transparency, and...
23 March 2026
5
France: bioMérieux’s new disability agreement pivots towards mental health
The news. On 6 January 2026, bioMérieux—an in vitro diagnostics specialist employing 4,400 people in France—signed a new four-year agreement “relating to the employment...
6
Germany: a wave of redundancy plans in the automotive sector
The latest financial results presented in early 2026 by major German car manufacturers show sharp declines. This collapse in profits has triggered the announcement or confirmation of massive job...
16 March 2026