Managing the fallout of Covid-19

The 31 August 2020 agreement marks the completion of a process of reflection that commenced in March, during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and that focused on revising the short-time...

17 September 2020

Germany: short-time working scheme is extended until the end of 2021 (updated with details on social security contribution cover for those on short-time working)

On 16 September Germany’s Federal Council of Ministers (Bundeskabinett) passed the ‘Law on job security in light of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic" (Gesetz zur Beschäftigungssicherung)...

17 September 2020

Italy: after the health related state of emergency period, changes are in sight for smart working

Italy’s Labor Minister Nunzia Catalfo has convened a meeting with the social partners during the week 21 September to reflect on a reform to Law 81 of 2017 (that establishes smart working), in...

16 September 2020

France: coronavirus recognized as an occupational illness

On 15 September a decree published in the Official Journal (here) opened a small door for workers who have worked in establishments particularly exposed to the risk of Covid-19 contamination and...

15 September 2020

Portugal: remote working or flexible working hours recommended (and compulsory in Lisbon and Porto) due to re-emergence of Covid-19

The Portuguese government has recommended that remote working or telework should be in place wherever possible. This measure was decided in the Council of Ministers as part of the plan to combat...

14 September 2020

Austria: health crisis related short time working altered slightly and extended until March 2021

Austria’s short time working allowance, one of Europe’s most generous, in so far as it covers between 80% and 90% of the employee’s latest net salary, will be extended beyond the...

10 September 2020

Great Britain: confusion reigns over the governments back to the office work plan

While the UK press had announced at the end of August that the Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be unveiling a ‘back to work’ plan, the government ended up denying it had any...

7 September 2020

France: a recovery plan to promote ecological transition, economic sovereignty and competitiveness, with employment as a priority

100 billion euros is set to be injected into the economy until 2022 as part of the ‘France Recovery’ plan that the government presented on 03 September. From this more than 15 billion euros will...

3 September 2020

The Netherlands: tripartite agreement to extend support measures for companies dealing with a fall-off in business

The Dutch Temporary Emergency Bridging Measure for Sustained Employment (NOW, Tijdelijke Noodmaatregel Overbrugging voor Werkbehoud) that provides employee salary compensation support is to be...

2 September 2020

France: new health protocol for companies makes mask wearing mandatory in shared spaces

New health requirements at companies, in order to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, are in force from today, 1 September. Firms will also be allowed to “gradually” implement measures to supplement...

1 September 2020

United Kingdom: firms tempted to keep mass remote working in place in September

Only a fifth of UK companies plan to re-open their offices to staff next month, according to a survey conducted by specialist HR site People Management, reported on 25 August. The same study...

27 August 2020

Argentina: further extension to job support programme

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to advance in Argentina, the country’s government has extended the pillars of its employment and business support programme (see article n°11960)...

26 August 2020

Italy: new measures to support jobs and the economy

On 7 August Italy’s council of ministers approved the so-called 'Decreto Agosto' (August decree), which will see a further €25 billion freed up to support employment and the economy, notably by...

25 August 2020

Portugal: business support programme seeks to promote economic recovery after Covid-19

At the end of July, the Portuguese government adopted an economic activity support scheme aimed at encouraging companies to gradually resume their activity or production after having benefited...

24 August 2020

France: specific long-term short time working scheme set up

The decree setting up a “specific short time working system” for cases of a “lasting reduction in activity” was published in France’s official journal on 30 July. The regime allows companies faced...

24 August 2020

France: the government presents its Youth Plan, which contains financial aid for recruitment

The 750,000 young people who are preparing to enter the struggling French labour market represent a key priority for the new government, which "is committed to and as part of the recovery plan has...

23 July 2020

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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

France: Crédit Agricole to tighten remote work rules

Crédit Agricole is to adopt stricter rules on remote work from mid-March onwards. The rules will be tightened for employees, but the maximum number of days working remotely will remain unchanged.

29 January 2026

France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval

The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...

8 December 2025

mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators

In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...

31 October 2025

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EU: BusinessEurope sets out deregulation agenda in the social field

BusinessEurope, the main lobby group representing employers and business federations across the EU, has called for a "turning point" in European social policy to help "boost competitiveness" and...

20 February 2026

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

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

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

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

United States: UAW secures historic agreement at Volkswagen plant in Tennessee

Nearly two years after establishing a presence at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant (3,000 employees), the United Auto Workers secured an agreement on wages, healthcare costs, and job...

20 February 2026