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
Brazil: government bill to reduce work week from 44 to 40 hours
The news. On 15 April, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party, left) fast-tracked a bill to Parliament to reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40...
Finland: government seeks to strengthen protection for women against maternity-related discrimination
The news. Finnish Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen presented amendments to the Act on Equality between Women and Men to Parliament on 26 March, aimed at more effectively tackling...
EU: job quality improves but faces new challenges (Eurofound)
The news. Published on 14 April, the eighth edition of the European Working Conditions Survey by Eurofound (the EU’s tripartite agency), covering 35 European countries, highlights an...
France: government outlines future birth leave framework
The news. Part of the 2026 social security financing bill, France’s additional birth leave is set to take effect on 1 July. On 9 April, the government sent social partners a draft decree...
France: government launches action plan to reduce workplace absenteeism
The news. Faced with the rapid increase in the number of sick leaves in France since 2019, Minister of Labour Jean-Pierre Farandou, Minister of Health Stéphanie Rist, and Minister of Public...
Netherlands: a bill to strengthen the role of occupational health physicians during sick leave return
The Dutch government has submitted a bill to the Council of State regarding the reintegration of employees following long-term sick leave. The legislation aims to provide greater legal certainty...
8 April 2026
EU: European Parliament report proposes mandatory psychosocial risk assessments
The news. In a report submitted to the European Parliament’s employment committee on 25 March, MEP Estelle Ceulemans (S&D) called on the European Commission to propose a directive on...
Greece: minimum wage to rise by 4.5% from 1 April
The news. On 26 March, Greek Labour Minister Niki Kerameus announced a 4.5% increase in the minimum wage, effective from 1 April 2026. The gross monthly amount will rise from €880 to...
United-Kingdom: Day-one rights for unpaid paternity leave
From 6 April 2026, fathers and partners will no longer need to demonstrate six months of service to qualify for paternity leave. This entitlement becomes a day-one right within the company...
30 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...
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...
France: Generali’s new disability agreement focuses on workplace adjustments
Generali France (9,300 employees) and trade unions have concluded an agreement to promote the employment of disabled workers for the 2026-2028 period. The text emphasises coordination between...
17 March 2026
Sweden: new law to facilitate phased return to work after sick leave
On 28 January, the Swedish Parliament adopted a law allowing employees on sick leave to test their capacity to return to work without losing their sickness benefits. The legislation, which came...
17 March 2026
Valérie Decaux (La Poste): “Our older workers policy is based on individualisation to move beyond age-related-stigmatisation”
La Poste Group (nearly 200,000 employees in France) unveiled its first senior employment agreement in late February. The text outlines measures for early retirement assistance, workplace...
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
Spain: government seeks to strengthen protection for employee whistleblowers
On 28 July, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a draft bill aimed at providing legal protection to employees who report corruption or breaches of labour law, shielding them from potential...
27 August 2026
2
France: Cabinet adopts pay transparency bill
After several months of delay beyond the European deadline of 7 June 2026, French Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou finally presented the bill transposing the Pay Transparency Directive to the...
10 September 2026
3
Netherlands: Uber fined over 800 million euros for automated algorithmic decisions
The news. In a decision dated 17 August, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined ride-hailing company Uber €825 million for automating decisions regarding driver account deactivations. The...
4
Italy: Crédit Agricole introduces a handbook on managerial behaviour
The document adopted in mid-July by Crédit Agricole Italia and the main banking trade unions goes beyond the proper use of meetings and emails. This six-point handbook aims to foster constructive...
3 September 2026
5
Spain: government revisits its draft decree on salary transparency
The Spanish Ministry of Labour has opened a consultation on the transposition of the European directive on salary transparency and the reduction of the gender pay gap. This decision follows a...
8 September 2026
6
Slovakia: 6% increase in the minimum wage from 1 January 2027
The news. As Slovakia’s social partners failed to reach an agreement during tripartite negotiations, Labour Minister Erik Tomas has decided to increase the minimum wage by 6% from 1 January...
1 September 2026