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: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
19 March 2026
Germany: controversial collective bargaining compliance act adopted
On 26 February, the Bundestag approved the Tariftreuegesetz (collective bargaining compliance act), aimed at strengthening collective agreements and tackling social dumping by tying certain public...
26 February 2026
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
Germany: accelerated professional integration in sight for asylum seekers
Germany’s interior minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to accelerate the professional integration of asylum seekers in Germany. “The best integration is the one that starts...
23 February 2026
Latest articles by Thomas Schnee
Germany: complaint filed against Edeka over lack of social and environmental due diligence in Guatemala
Two NGOs filed a complaint at the end of February against Edeka, one of Germany's leading retail chains (approximately 400,000 employees in 11,000 stores), with the country's Federal Office of...
Germany: IG Metall criticises Tesla for withholding pay in event of illness
In a statement published on 14 March, the IG Metall union once again criticised the management of the Tesla factory in Grünheide, this time regarding their practices on sick leave and wage...
19 March 2025
Deutsche Telekom to expand its ‘Growth Hub’ skills management platform globally
German telephone operator Deutsche Telekom is launching the global rollout in 2025 and 2026 of ‘Growth Hub’, its new AI skills and career management platform. For the group, the launch of this new...
10 March 2025
Austria: new government plans labour market adjustments
Austria's new coalition government took office on 3 March, after five months of negotiations. The coalition is made up of the country's conservative (ÖVP), social democratic (SPÖ) and liberal...
4 March 2025
Germany: BAFA sets out instructions for supply chain due diligence law
While a complaint was filed at the end of February by a group of Thai workers against Otto, the German retail giant, the Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) has just...
Germany: social partners autonomy bolstered vis-à-vis the labour courts (ruling)
In a landmark decision published on 19 February, the German Federal Constitutional Court (BVG) confirmed the annulment of two judgements handed down by the Federal Labour Court (BAG), dating from...
24 February 2025
Germany: Henkel, a pioneer of partner parental leave amid a national context that is stagnant
A few months ago, the Henkel group introduced a partner parental leave scheme that benefits employees in the 80 countries in which the company operates. Meanwhile the bill approved in 2023 on the...
14 February 2025
Germany: uncertainty over future of supply chain due diligence act
Under fire from critics for several months, the German supply chain due diligence act (LkSG), passed in 2021, is in the crosshairs of political parties amid the election campaign. Employer...
Germany: court rules that electronic payslips and personal documents are sufficient
The German Federal Labour Court (BAG) has ruled against a supermarket sales assistant from the Edeka group who demanded to continue receiving her payslip on paper, contrary to the provisions of a...
- HR
- News brief
10 February 2025
Germany: what measures do the main parties standing in the federal elections envisage for the world of work?
Early parliamentary elections are to be held in Germany on 23 February. As such, mind RH is presenting a summary of the measures concerning the world of work proposed by the main parties already...
5 February 2025
Germany: debate rages on introducing one-day wait for sick pay and ditching electronic system
Amid a sharp rise in absenteeism in Germany since the pandemic, a debate has emerged on whether the country should abolish pay on the first day of sick leave. With this in mind, several employers'...
13 January 2025
Germany: vast savings and job cuts plan agreed at Volkswagen but it is not a panacea
Following historic negotiations, the IG Metall trade union, the central works council and Volkswagen management agreed on Friday 20 December on major cost-cutting measures and significant...
7 January 2025
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
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...
20 March 2026
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
20 March 2026
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
19 March 2026
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...
19 March 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: CDC Habitat defines a framework and means for social dialogue on AI
In an agreement signed on 23 February with trade unions, the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et consignations) Habitat (10,800 employees) guarantees that AI solutions will only...
23 February 2026
2
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...
5 March 2026
3
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...
20 March 2026
4
United Kingdom: launch of consultation on protection against detriment for industrial action
The British government launched a public consultation on 26 February regarding new protections for workers against "detriment" related to industrial action, scheduled to take effect in October...
12 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...
4 March 2026
6
Germany: controversial collective bargaining compliance act adopted
On 26 February, the Bundestag approved the Tariftreuegesetz (collective bargaining compliance act), aimed at strengthening collective agreements and tackling social dumping by tying certain public...
26 February 2026