Thomas Schnee
Correspondent in GermanyAs a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.
Expertise
As a correspondent in Berlin for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business world and labour market. My areas of interest include co-management, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.
Most read articles by Thomas Schnee
Germany: introduction of the concept of partial incapacity for work
The news. On 10 July, the German Parliament definitively adopted the “Act to Stabilise Contribution Rates in the Statutory Health Insurance System”...
27 August 2026
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
15 September 2026
Germany: a “simplification” proposal for the Corporate Governance Code
In early August, the Government Commission presented proposals to reform the Deutscher Corporate Governance Kodex (DCGK), Germany’s Corporate Governance Code. The proposals are primarily aimed at...
Germany: a high-tension start to the social and political year
The German government must finalize its major reforms (pension funding, corporate competitiveness, and labor law) while the chancellor’s popularity hits an all-time low and three regional...
26 August 2026
Latest articles by Thomas Schnee
Germany: government finally unveils the main elements of its working time reform
German Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Bärbel Bas has presented a draft bill aimed at making working time regulations more flexible. The proposal would move away from the current eight-hour...
22 June 2026
Germany: trade unions and the SPD support mandatory occupational pensions
In the wake of preparations for a german major pension reform, occupational pensions, which were already revised by a law that entered into force last 22 January, are back at the centre of debate...
17 June 2026
Germany: demographic outlook for the labor market darkens (survey)
The news. In a report published on June 15, the Cologne-based German Economic Institute (IW) warns about the combined effects of declining immigration, falling birth rates, and the mass retirement...
15 June 2026
Germany: employers seek a right to information for selecting employee reservists
The news. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s draft legislation aimed at strengthening the reserve forces of the Bundeswehr (Germany’s national armed forces) is raising concerns...
10 June 2026
Germany: the executive would like to “adapt” the pay transparency directive
Germany has missed the 7 June 2026 deadline to transpose the EU directive aimed at ensuring equal pay between women and men. The conservative Family Minister Karin Prien, who is leading the...
9 June 2026
Germany: Insurer VHV Gruppe to offset departures linked to ageing with increased use of AI
A leader in life and motor insurance, German insurer VHV Gruppe recently announced that faced with the upcoming departure of the large baby-boom cohorts, the group's companies would step up the...
27 May 2026
Germany: The Federal Labour Court specifies the probative value of registered delivery mail
The news. On May 7, 2026, the German Federal Labour Court (BAG) dismissed an appeal by a Hamburg-based employer, putting an end to long-standing legal uncertainty regarding the probative value of...
21 May 2026
Germany: The Federal Labour Court specifies the probative value of registered delivery mail
The news. On May 7, 2026, the German Federal Labour Court (BAG) dismissed an appeal by a Hamburg-based employer, putting an end to long-standing legal uncertainty regarding the probative value of...
21 May 2026
Switzerland: the popular initiative to curb immigration is worrying economic and scientific circles
The Swiss popular initiative aimed at sharply limiting immigration — if necessary by questioning the agreement on the free movement of persons with the EU — is sparking debate in economic...
12 May 2026
Germany: a large-scale study finds a 16% AI gender gap in favor of men
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB), in collaboration with Initiative D21—a prominent association of institutions and companies dedicated to tackling the digital divide—has released a...
27 April 2026
Germany: towards a “minimum” reform of the harassment and anti-discrimination act
The Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth have presented the long-awaited draft amendment to the General Act on Equal Treatment...
Germany: major reforms are getting underway, starting with health insurance
By finally presenting a bill to amend the health insurance funding system, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken appears to be launching the series of reforms promised months ago by Chancellor...
17 April 2026
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
EU: insurance sector social partners commit to addressing violence and harassment at work
The news. The trade union UNI Europa Finance and the employers’ federations Insurance Europe, Amice and Bipar signed an addendum to their 2022 joint declaration on diversity and inclusion on...
18 September 2026
Juliette Baudry (Boiron): “An intergenerational mechanism to better accommodate different life stages”
Since 1 September 2026, employees of the pharmaceutical group Boiron (1,700 employees in France) have benefited from a “key life moments account”. Resulting from an agreement signed last February...
18 September 2026
France: final document on the work of the Labour, Employment and Pensions Conference
After six months of discussions between French social partners, the guarantors of the Labour, Employment and Pensions Conference submitted the conclusions of the discussions to the Prime Minister...
17 September 2026
EU: Commission proposes a list of worker-related criteria for public procurement
The news. On 9 September, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation aimed at unifying European public procurement law, which accounts for 15% of European GDP. It is notably set...
17 September 2026
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
France: Medef puts forward proposals to improve management quality
On 31 August, Medef, French main employers' organisation, published a practical guide to managerial skills, which it considers to be a driver of economic performance for businesses. Concerned by...
3 September 2026
2
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
11 September 2026
3
Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
14 September 2026
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
15 September 2026
5
UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...
16 September 2026
6
Denmark: introduction of a professional ID card for construction site workers
The news. On 3 September, the Danish Parliament adopted a bill introducing a mandatory professional ID card for people working on large construction sites. The card will include, among other...
15 September 2026