Global Employment and Labor Law Update | September 2026


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Key employment law highlights featured in this edition include: Pay transparency: Implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive continues to gather pace, including with recent legislative, consultation and policy developments in Spain, Portugal, Finland, the Czech Republic, Greece and Bulgaria Termination of employment: We feature a significant German proposal that would provide employers with greater flexibility when terminating the employment of certain high-earning employees, alongside wider developments in China, the Czech Republic, Finland, India and Romania Algorithmic management of workers: Momentum is building ahead of the December 2026 deadline for implementing the EU Platform Work Directive, with draft legislation, consultations and policy developments emerging across Europe, including in the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. Developments have also been seen beyond Europe, including in Australia and Hong Kong,. Board diversity: Member States continue to take steps towards the representation targets set by the EU Women on Boards Directive, including recent developments in Austria, France and Poland Working time: Governments and courts continue to address working time recording, flexibility and compliance obligations, with notable developments this quarter in Finland, Germany and Portugal Collective bargaining and employee representation: Developments in Germany, Italy, Slovakia and South Africa reflect continuing efforts in a number of jurisdictions to strengthen collective labour rights and worker voice mechanisms Modern slavery and supply chain due diligence: Developments globally continue to increase scrutiny of supply chains, corporate accountability and human rights compliance, while strengthening transparency and due diligence requirements, including through a new EU regulation and proposed legislation in the UK The materials on the Eversheds Sutherland website are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. 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The latest edition of our Global Employment Law Update is now available in our dynamic hub.

Key employment law highlights featured in this edition include:

Pay transparency: Implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive continues to gather pace, including with recent legislative, consultation and policy developments in Spain, Portugal, Finland, the Czech Republic, Greece and Bulgaria
Termination of employment: We feature a significant German proposal that would provide employers with greater flexibility when terminating the employment of certain high-earning employees, alongside wider developments in China, the Czech Republic, Finland, India and Romania
Algorithmic management of workers: Momentum is building ahead of the December 2026 deadline for implementing the EU Platform Work Directive, with draft legislation, consultations and policy developments emerging across Europe, including in the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. Developments have also been seen beyond Europe, including in Australia and Hong Kong,.
Board diversity: Member States continue to take steps towards the representation targets set by the EU Women on Boards Directive, including recent developments in Austria, France and Poland
Working time: Governments and courts continue to address working time recording, flexibility and compliance obligations, with notable developments this quarter in Finland, Germany and Portugal
Collective bargaining and employee representation: Developments in Germany, Italy, Slovakia and South Africa reflect continuing efforts in a number of jurisdictions to strengthen collective labour rights and worker voice mechanisms
Modern slavery and supply chain due diligence: Developments globally continue to increase scrutiny of supply chains, corporate accountability and human rights compliance, while strengthening transparency and due diligence requirements, including through a new EU regulation and proposed legislation in the UK

The materials on the Eversheds Sutherland website are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the materials may not reflect the most current legal developments. Eversheds Sutherland disclaims liability for actions taken based on the materials. Always consult a qualified lawyer for specific legal matters. To view the full disclaimer, see our Terms and Conditions or Disclaimer section in the footer. Eversheds Sutherland is a provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. For further information about these entities and Eversheds Sutherlands' structure please see the Legal Notice page of this website.