Managing the fallout of Covid-19

The EU is about to amend its rules on the protection of workers for the virus causing Covid-19 in the Annexes to Directive 2000/54/EC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to...

14 May 2020

Germany: Volkswagen reduces the ‘guaranteed salary’ it promised to 18,000 managers

On 13 May Volkswagen’s middle management (some 18,000 mangers) learned that the variable part of their salaries would be reduced in 2020, due to the collapse of the group’s revenues...

14 May 2020

Solvay: solidarity fund set up by managers, employees and shareholders to help staff affected by the crisis raises €15 million

This significant sum – dedicated to the solidarity fund announced on 9 April and created at the end of the same month – was announced on 6 May by Solvay chief executive officer Ilhma...

14 May 2020

USA: ‘Big 3’ automakers set to restart on 18 May

Without any great fuss or fanfare, the Big 3 North American automakers are preparing to gradually reopen their production sites during the week of 18 May, and they have been negotiating with UAW...

14 May 2020

Mexico: the auto industry and its subcontractors, classed as ‘essential activities’ and will resume business from 18 May.

On 12 May Mexico’s General Health Council delivered its opinion allowing ‘manufacturing transport equipment’ to resume business nationwide from 18 May. Alongside the automobile...

14 May 2020

China: a difficult return to work after the pandemic

From the end of January, the Chinese authorities have multiplied their economic stimulus initiatives in order to mitigate the devastating effects of the Covid-19 crisis on the country's overall...

14 May 2020

EU: EU Commission proposes a set of guidelines to support a gradual and coordinated lifting of travel restrictions between EU Member States

On 13 May the European Commission presented ‘a package of guidelines and recommendations to help Member States gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourism businesses to reopen after...

13 May 2020

EU: social partners in Europe’s tourism industry make joint call for urgent measures to support sector

A joint declaration by European social partners in the hospitality, restauration and food industries – the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) as well as...

13 May 2020

Great Britain: job retention system extended until the end of October

After hinting that it wanted to end its pandemic job retention scheme as soon as possible, the UK government switched tack, and on 12 May announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which...

13 May 2020

Chile: legislative wrangling over the ban on state-supported companies from paying shareholder dividends

Will shareholders of companies receiving Covid-19 related state aid be prohibited from receiving dividends? The debate has been raging in Chile since the 06 May Parliamentary Joint Committee...

13 May 2020

United States: one of Amazon’s leading activists takes up the cause of essential workers

Chris Smalls, who sees himself as "the whistleblower fired by Amazon" for demanding more protection from Covid-19, is creating his own defense movement called The Congress Essential Workers to...

13 May 2020

Telefonica: global agreement signed that defines minimum standards for returning to work

On 12 May, Spanish telephone operator Telefonica together with UNI Global Union, and the CCOO and UGT trade unions, signed a global agreement that sets out a ‘return to work’ framework for the...

12 May 2020

Ireland: a return-to-work protocol that calls on companies to work with workers and their representatives to define and implement Covid-19 prevention measures

On 09 May the Irish government presented its ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’ ahead of the first phase of the lockdown easing process that is set to start on 18 May. In particular the protocol...

12 May 2020

Belgium: agreement reached on the resumption of work in the metal and technology sectors

On 11 May trade unions in the metal sector along with the Agoria (technology) employers body signed an agreement for resumption of work amid the coronavirus health crisis. As a complementary text...

12 May 2020

France: national data privacy body re-iterates the principles over the collection of personal data by employers in the context of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19

With the national lockdown easing process commencing, companies are multiplying measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus and ensure the safe resumption of activity. Some of these measures...

12 May 2020

Great Britain: firms called on to assess Covid-19 risks prior to resuming business

On 10 May the UK Prime Minister made a less than clear presentation outlining a national plan to ease the current lockdown situation, and on the following day the government explained what it...

12 May 2020

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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

Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”

Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...

20 October 2025

France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy

On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...

15 October 2025

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Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”

On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...

3 December 2025

Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle

In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...

2 December 2025

Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining

On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...

2 December 2025

France: Decathlon introduces a ‘duty to respect others’ right to disconnect’

A right-to-disconnect agreement was signed in late September for the French arm of the Decathlon sports retail group. It sets out a "duty to respect others’ right to disconnect" and provides...

14 November 2025

France: construction sector turns to long-term partial activity scheme

Amid the ongoing economic crisis hitting France’s construction sector, social partners in the public works industry (350,000 employees) signed an agreement at the end of October enabling companies...

21 November 2025

Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing

In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...

24 November 2025