News Flash
Denmark: Beneficial tax treatment of employee share schemes
A Bill has been drafted by the Danish government to grant the beneficial tax treatment of share-based employee incentive schemes. The maximum tax liability would be set at 42% (rather than 56% on employment income) and the tax levied only
Japan: Dismissal with monetary compensation under discussion
In Japan the Labour Ministry has set up a working group to examine the possibility of introducing a system of dismissal with monetary compensation. The introduction of such a system would be a positive change for employers as the current
Dark shadow falls over a once promising economy
At first glance it appears to be just another trade union merger. But look at developments in their broader context and recent initiatives by South Africa’s still powerful NUMSA Metalworkers’ Union take on greater significance.
NUMSA has announced that on
Sweden: New whistleblower protection law proposed
A law that would give special protection to workers who blow the whistle on serious wrongdoing in the workplace has been proposed by the Legislative Council in Sweden.
The proposed law would protect employees from reprisals by their employer when
Saudi Arabia: Shura Council and Labour Ministry continue to support 40-hour week
The consultative assembly (Shura Council) and Saudi Labour Ministry have rejected representations made by Chambers of Commerce on why they should reconsider their decision to introduce a 40-hour week and obligatory two-day weekend in the private sector in Saudi Arabia.
Belgium: No more paper lunch vouchers
The total replacement of paper meal vouchers by the electronic lunch pass has finally been achieved in Belgium and the maximum contribution by employers increased to 6.91 euros (7.54 US dollars). This means that when the employee contribution is taken
The cost of noise
Most people associate noise problems with living next to motorways or airports. It is a form of pollution, but often not taken as seriously as atmospheric pollution because it disappears immediately when its source is removed.
However, noise is a
Puerto Rico: Sick leave may now be used to care for others
Under an Amendment to Puerto Rico’s Minimum Wage, Vacation and Sick Leave Act, employees in companies with at least 15 workers may be entitled to use up to five of their annual sick leave days for the purposes of caring
European Union: Agreement reached over new data protection regulations
After three years of negotiations the European Union (EU) Parliament, Council and Commission have finally reached agreement on new European data protection rules. The draft General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will replace the 1995 EU Data Protection Directive, is
Mexico :: New national equal employment opportunities standard
The Mexican government has issued a new equal opportunities standard for employers. Although the standard is not binding it serves as a guideline for employers to evaluate equal opportunities practices in their workplaces. Furthermore, employers that are able to show
France: Labour Code reform to begin with working time
The French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, has announced that the reform of the country’s Labour Code will take place over the next two years starting with a reform of working time laws. The government has said that the statutory 35-hour
South East Asia: Will the new ASEAN economic community mean much for employers?
After twelve years of negotiations the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agreement has finally been signed by all ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar).
Modelled loosely on
Are HR Policies Contractual?
The one time when employees can be sure to consult their handbook is when things go wrong. It can be an uncomfortable time for HR practitioners when they are being held to account for conformity with policy statements and something
Advanced economies need 77 Million immigrants
The OECD is the principal organisation for advanced economies — such as most countries in Western Europe, the USA, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Its latest short-term population projections indicate how quickly such economies are going to be hit by
Irish Republic: Tax-free non-cash benefit allowance doubled in time for Christmas
The maximum value of a single non-cash benefit (or voucher) that may be paid to employees in Ireland each year free from tax has been doubled from 250 euros (265 US dollars) to 500 euros (530 US dollars). The measure,