https://global.lockton.com/ Navigating the complexities of multinational business Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:50:26 GMT en-US hourly 1 https://lockbox.lockton.com/m/30c9e10016920710/original/cropped-Logo_512x512-32x32.png https://global.lockton.com/ 32 32 https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/new-remote-working-legislation-around-the-world https://global.lockton.com?p=6FuSH37Iu5SW5Nij6RFvAZ Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:20:00 GMT The worldwide shift to remote work has sparked new logistical and structural legal challenges that have warranted many countries to pass teleworking legislation. This article has been updated to reflect changes to Montenegro’s remote working legislation from 23 April 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/argentina-introduces-new-mandatory-employer-contributions-to-labor-assistance-fund https://global.lockton.com?p=3V1ePyQzy6Arh5ZdzD1LlG Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT Argentina is introducing the Labor Assistance Fund (Fondo de Asistencia Laboral or FAL), a new mechanism designed to help employers pre-fund severance pay, rather than relying solely on direct payment when an employment relationship ends. Employers will be required to make new mandatory contributions of 1% or 2.5% based on employer size. The regime is scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/bulgaria-reforms-its-supplementary-pension-system https://global.lockton.com?p=19Bc5zkfxbUusDMXLFuN3X Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT Bulgaria has enacted significant reforms to its supplementary pension system through amendments to the Social Security Code. The reforms introduce a new multi-fund framework designed to align investment strategies more closely with an individual's age and retirement horizon. The new multi-fund framework will take effect from 1 January 2027.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/macau-increases-maternity-leave-and-annual-leave https://global.lockton.com?p=6LIes6baxHPuo43mQwlECG Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:40:00 GMT Macau recently passed reforms aimed at enhancing employee leave entitlements. These include an increase in statutory maternity leave from 70 to 90 calendar days and a change in annual leave from a flat entitlement of six working days to a range of six to 12 working days based on length of service. The maternity leave changes took effect on 28 July 2026 while the new annual leave framework will take effect on 1 January 2027.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/south-africa-proposes-codification-of-gender-neutral-parental-leave-and-increased-severance-pay https://global.lockton.com?p=6IeX5WxgUcyFrToq9LCJgs Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT South Africa has proposed legislative reforms to expand employee protections and enhance statutory employment benefits. Key proposed changes include the codification of the gender-neutral parental leave framework first introduced by the Constitutional Court in 2025 and doubling severance pay from one week’s remuneration to two weeks’ remuneration for each completed year of service. The bill is still undergoing the legislative process and is not yet in force.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/south-korea-introduces-family-leave-enhancements https://global.lockton.com?p=7F978x83blb9m40HdaRm19 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT South Korea is introducing several enhancements to its family leave framework in 2026. These include a new option for short-term use of childcare leave, a new partially employer-paid spousal miscarriage and stillbirth leave entitlement of five days, and an increase in employer-paid infertility treatment leave from two to four days. The changes take effect on various dates beginning 20 August 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/eu-pay-transparency-directive-implementation-status https://global.lockton.com?p=1JEV4v9csAI32Nt9Fa2apk Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT The EU Pay Transparency Directive aims to strengthen equal pay between women and men through enhanced pay transparency and enforcement measures. While EU Member States were required to implement the Directive by 7 June 2026, transposition remains incomplete in many countries and implementation progress varies across the EU. ]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/brazil-proposes-a-reduction-in-working-hours https://global.lockton.com?p=4IfZRRbStkoCa3nrbMjXQt Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT Brazil is considering a constitutional amendment that would reduce the maximum workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours and require employers to provide two paid weekly rest days instead of a single weekly rest day. The proposal has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is currently under review by the Senate.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/mexico-to-introduce-a-right-to-disconnect-for-all-employees https://global.lockton.com?p=GtNOd7PnCIjJshMNqx2og Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill that would establish a general right to digital disconnection for employees and impose new obligations on employers regarding work-related communications outside working hours. The proposed reform is still progressing through the legislative process and is not yet in force.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/quebec-increases-tax-on-insurance-premiums https://global.lockton.com?p=7pNcTPnyPGMZuMs2kjZs7W Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT Québec is increasing the tax rate applicable to insurance premiums from 9.0% to 9.975%. The revised tax rate will apply to all taxable insurance premiums paid on or after 1 January 2027.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/costa-rica-expands-employer-obligations-for-breastfeeding-employees https://global.lockton.com?p=ESuGAHyWtgbCPwZ5dl8kr Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT Costa Rica has enacted significant reforms to its workplace breastfeeding protections, including extending the statutory breastfeeding period, expanding paid breastfeeding break entitlements, and introducing a new right to paid breast milk expression breaks. The changes took effect on 23 April 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/turkey-extends-maternity-and-paternity-leave-entitlements https://global.lockton.com?p=5Nk7YTBnPW40Cl3oFYnXmh Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT Turkey recently enacted significant reforms to family leave entitlements. The changes include increasing the standard government-paid maternity leave entitlement from 16 weeks to 24 weeks and employer-paid paternity leave from five days to 10 days. The amendments entered into force on 1 May 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/northern-ireland-extends-parental-bereavement-leave-and-pay-to-employees-affected-by-miscarriage https://global.lockton.com?p=QDTIV5UxZHJjZyHgNdJqF Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT Northern Ireland has introduced new statutory entitlements to two weeks of parental bereavement leave and government-funded pay for eligible employees affected by miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy. The new rights took effect on 6 April 2026 and make Northern Ireland the first jurisdiction in the UK to provide specific statutory entitlements covering miscarriage.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/thailand-to-implement-national-employee-welfare-fund https://global.lockton.com?p=DXuLndWXVMucdTL4gG6MY Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT Update: Employers who are not exempt from contributing to the Employee Welfare Fund are required to start making contributions from 1 October 2026. This article has been updated with additional resources for employers.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/new-zealand-passes-legislation-to-replace-the-holidays-act-2003 https://global.lockton.com?p=3SUiGOaIsqwnN27amxcncY Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT New Zealand recently passed legislation to simplify its existing statutory leave rules by replacing the existing Holidays Act 2003, which is primarily measured in weeks and days, with an hours-based system. Key changes include the introduction of three types of working hours (standard, additional, and casual hours), day one rights for annual leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and family violence leave, and hours-based annual and sick leave accrual. The new legislation is scheduled to replace the Holidays Act 2003 on 6 August 2028.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/malta-introduces-paid-miscarriage-leave-and-extends-special-parental-bereavement-leave https://global.lockton.com?p=24rO0LanMDIkUTQ2tUX43f Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT Malta has introduced a new entitlement to seven days of government-paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage before week 22 of pregnancy. Additionally, the paid leave entitlement for parents who experience the death of a child under the age of 18 has increased to seven working days. Previously, employees were entitled to either one or two days of paid leave, depending on the employment sector. Employers remain responsible for funding those initial one or two days of leave, with the government funding the remaining five or six days. These changes entered into force on 1 January 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/south-korea-to-increase-national-pension-service-contribution-rates https://global.lockton.com?p=rJZmkhrfBF83VeIjfk0Mr Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT UPDATE: On 1 January 2026, the mandatory NPS contribution rate increased from 9.0% to 9.5%, split equally between employer and employee. Employer and employee contributions therefore each increased from 4.5% to 4.75%. The next phased increase, from 9.5% to 10.0%, is due to take effect on 1 January 2027.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/vietnam-extends-maternity-and-paternity-leave-for-employees-welcoming-a-second-child https://global.lockton.com?p=6bJu5UERbjHQy262IEmMZL Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT Vietnam has extended the standard government-paid maternity leave entitlement for female employees giving birth to their second child from six to seven months. A male employee is also now entitled to an additional five days of paternity leave where his wife gives birth to her second child, increasing the standard government-paid entitlement from five to 10 working days. These changes entered into force on 1 July 2026. ]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/alberta-to-introduce-significant-changes-for-employer-sponsored-health-benefits https://global.lockton.com?p=2jmfUbp1U0utteSb5CVxzO Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT Alberta has passed significant reforms that will affect private employer-sponsored health benefits, including requiring private plans to become the primary payer for prescription drugs and certain supplemental health benefits and protecting older employees from the loss of employer-sponsored health benefits. The reforms are being brought into force on a phased basis throughout 2026, with key provisions scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2026. ]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/france-introduces-new-government-paid-birth-leave-and-other-social-security-changes https://global.lockton.com?p=75NsrKpS3Pqx3fSrEd4u6M Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT France is introducing several social security-related reforms in 2026. These include an increase in the employer contribution rate on certain severance indemnities, the creation of a new government-paid additional birth leave of up to two months for each parent, new statutory limits on the duration of medical certificates for sick leave, and delays in the planned increases in statutory retirement age. The reforms take effect at various points throughout 2026, with the earliest provisions applying from 1 January 2026. Update: France has issued implementing regulations in May 2026 under the Social Security Financing Act 2026 for the new government-paid additional birth leave. The regulations set out eligibility conditions, employee notice requirements, and benefit administration rules, effective from 1 July 2026. This article has been updated to reflect the implementing regulations.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/brazil-enacts-phased-extension-of-paid-paternity-leave https://global.lockton.com?p=7yKUE0ucl4kF3VGl2J9j7q Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT Brazil has enacted new rules gradually expanding statutory paid paternity leave from five to 20 days and introducing a social security-funded paternity benefit, which will replace employers’ current obligation to pay the employee’s salary during paternity leave. The new framework will take effect on 1 January 2027, with the paternity leave entitlement increasing by five days each year from 2027 through 2029.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/belgium-increases-insurance-tax https://global.lockton.com?p=3BG6s8oIi9zjsNLS3TbFxc Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT Belgium increases the insurance tax rate applicable to certain non-life insurance products from 9.25% to 9.60%. The change impacts employer-sponsored hospitalization and outpatient healthcare insurance plans, as well as certain occupational incapacity insurance products that are currently subject to the 9.25% rate. The revised tax rate applies to insurance premiums due on or after 1 July 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/luxembourg-enacts-right-to-disconnect https://global.lockton.com?p=2xPfW512JcONyvTo7uuqMM Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:39:00 GMT Luxembourg has amended its Labour Code under Articles L.312-9 and L.312-10 to introduce a structured right-to-disconnect framework requiring employers to ensure implementation of measures governing disconnection from digital tools through collective bargaining, company-level agreements, or staff delegation procedures, rather than creating a standalone prescriptive right. The law came into force on 4 July 2023. Update: While the framework has applied since 2023, the enforcement mechanism allowing the Inspection du Travail et des Mines (ITM) to impose administrative penalties has remained suspended and will only take effect on 4 July 2026, when enforcement powers become operational in practice. ]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/australia-to-combine-and-expand-parental-leave-entitlements-2 https://global.lockton.com?p=4JvcVC6IOwkKr1dKoeSXM4 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:16:00 GMT UPDATE: From 1 July 2024, government-paid combined gender-neutral parental leave will increase from 20 weeks to 22 weeks. Parental leave entitlements will increase again to 24 weeks from July 2025 and 26 weeks from July 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/italy-approves-final-legislation-implementing-the-eu-pay-transparency-directive https://global.lockton.com?p=2lI0myGjCdNEkGmJzzflu8 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT The Italian Council of Ministers approved the final legislative decree implementing the European Union (EU) Pay Transparency Directive on 30 April 2026. While the legislation closely incorporates the EU minimum requirements, it includes key adaptations that consider job classification systems set out in National Collective Bargaining Agreements (NCBAs), which are a prominent feature of the Italian labor system. The Decree was published in the Official Gazette on 1 June 2026 and enters into force on 7 June 2026.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/poland-to-introduce-new-employer-obligations-to-fully-transpose-the-eu-pay-transparency-directive https://global.lockton.com?p=6kt7NKVaPMxkME79JA7plM Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT The Polish government has proposed new employer obligations to fully transpose the European Union Pay Transparency Directive by 7 June 2026. These include job evaluations to categorize employees that carry out the same or equivalent work, obligations to comply with new employee pay transparency rights, and pay gap reporting for employers with at least 100 employees.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/denmark-prepares-to-implement-the-eu-pay-transparency-directive https://global.lockton.com?p=3llDdf8s4PKlUu4qYoDxkU Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT The Danish government has published a bill aimed at implementing the European Union Pay Transparency Directive by 1 January 2027, which is past the implementation deadline of 7 June 2026. While several provisions incorporate the minimum standards, Denmark has chosen to enhance others, such as extending certain pay gap reporting obligations to employers with at least 50 employees (the minimum standard is employers with at least 100 employees).]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/finland-prepares-to-implement-the-eu-pay-transparency-directive https://global.lockton.com?p=21kp25NQjNIVNCtHbcFJu6 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT The Finnish government has published a proposal aimed at implementing the minimum standards under the European Union Pay Transparency Directive, with implementation expected in late 2026 or early 2027.]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/hong-kong-increases-statutory-public-holidays https://global.lockton.com?p=5nUiCuv5GCTWEWU3dY4Xy3 Thu, 28 May 2026 18:22:00 GMT The Hong Kong Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which focuses on progressively increasing statutory annual paid public holidays to 17 days by 2030, entered into effect on 5 March 2021. The first of the five additional public holidays, the Birthday of Buddha, became effective in 2022. The second one, which falls on the first weekday after Christmas, became available to employees in December 2024. Update: As part of the phased implementation of the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, Easter Monday became a statutory holiday in Hong Kong in 2026, falling on 6 April 2026. This increases the total number of statutory holidays from 14 to 15 days. Good Friday and the day following Good Friday take effect from 1 January 2028, falling on 14 April 2028 and 15 April 2028 respectively. ]]> https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/how-global-benefits-leaders-are-turning-complexity-into-competitive-advantage-global-benefits-forum-americas-recap https://global.lockton.com?p=1fyjnoILXEaRiUQrks0TUM Thu, 14 May 2026 02:34:00 GMT null]]>