What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
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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
Germany: at Tesla, the “Optimus” project could further escalate labor tensions
Tesla’s announcement that employees at its German Gigafactory will be used to test the humanoid robot “Optimus” comes amid significant legal uncertainty that could further inflame the conflict...
2
Spain: Banco Santander offers early retirement from age 55
The management of Spanish bank Santander and the trade unions reached an agreement on 17 July on an early retirement scheme that will allow employees to leave the company voluntarily from the age...
3
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...
4
Italy: employers’ organisations agree on how to determine the reference collective agreement for each sector
The news. Fourteen employers’ organisations, including the country’s largest business associations—Confindustria (industry), Confcommercio (commerce and services) and ANIA...