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: Employers’ representatives seek to limit the rights of works councils
The Employers' Federation of German Employers' Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände - BDA) published a report at the end of September in which it proposes a...
8 October 2026
Is a global wage freeze at Volkswagen possible?
The existence of an option to implement a global wage freeze until 2030 has been confirmed by the management of the German group Volkswagen, which nevertheless provides no details and refers to...
20 October 2026
Germany: a negotiation timetable and the prospect of industrial action at Volkswagen
The news. On 23 October, the German carmaker Volkswagen and the trade union IG Metall announced the opening of negotiations on wages, the new cost-cutting programme and job cuts. They will take...
27 October 2026
Germany: non-EU recruitment remains marginal despite skilled immigration reform
The news. Nearly a year and a half after the entry into force of the “Skilled Immigration Development Act”, only 4% of businesses have recruited at least one employee directly from a...
28 October 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: several social texts promised for 2027
The news. On 4 November, the European Commission presented its work programme for 2027. While the focus is once again on simplification, several social texts have been announced. The European...
4 November 2026
France: a bill by the end of the year to transpose the European directive on platform workers
The qualified experts appointed by the French government in the framework of transposing the Directive on Platform Workers submitted their report on 2 November. It paves the way for a bill by the...
4 November 2026
EU: Council curbs the Commission’s proposed easing of social safeguards in digital legislation
The news. On 21 October 2026, the Council of the EU agreed its negotiating mandate on the Digital Omnibus, proposed by the Commission in November 2025 to ease several provisions in digital...
3 November 2026
Croatia: 7.6% minimum wage increase from 1 January 2027
The news. On 29 October, the Croatian Council of Ministers adopted a decree setting the minimum wage for 2027. This will rise from €1,050 to €1,130 gross per month from 1 January next...
3 November 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
British bank Barclays cuts 5,000 jobs to invest in AI
Banking group Barclays has announced the cutting of 5% of its global workforce by the end of the year. Beyond disappointing quarterly results, Barclays primarily intends to free up the funds...
28 October 2026
2
Germany: non-EU recruitment remains marginal despite skilled immigration reform
The news. Nearly a year and a half after the entry into force of the “Skilled Immigration Development Act”, only 4% of businesses have recruited at least one employee directly from a...
28 October 2026
3
EU: several social texts promised for 2027
The news. On 4 November, the European Commission presented its work programme for 2027. While the focus is once again on simplification, several social texts have been announced. The European...
4 November 2026