Maternity absentees not always protected in redundancy cases (UK)

Redunancy

So now we finally have a definitive answer to the question of whether being on maternity leave at the time redundancies are declared gives you priority in the selection process.  That answer is no.  And yes.  As we can say entirely definitively, it all depends.

Let us take two scenarios. 

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The Data Made Me Do It: New DOL guidance warns employers to address Artificial Intelligence (AI) risks in the workplace (US)

In the rapidly developing world of AI, federal regulators are again signaling that businesses and HR managers cannot depend on a “data made me do it” defense to employment decisions made with the help of AI systems. Expanding on guidance it released in May, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued new guidance on October 16th reminding employers they cannot hide behind an algorithm when an AI-generated employment decision runs afoul of federal law.

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Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rules (“Final Rules”) Are Released: Plans and Issuers Must Prepare for January 1, 2025 Effective Date (US)

Members of our Labor & Employment practice and Healthcare industry group discuss the long-awaited Final Rules amending the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA”) that were released on September 9, 2024. The full post is available on our sister blog, Triage Health Law.

The AI revolution: Europe, we need your help!

If the technological developments of this decade are to be described in one (or actually, three) words, they will be, without a doubt, be (generative) artificial intelligence. AI is everywhere these days: it’s in the news, it’s on our phones, it’s writing your mum’s Christmas cards … there is no escaping it. But how much (gen)AI is there in HR? Whereas in this space, we usually inform you about what is happening around the world in labour and employment, this time we would like to hear from you instead. Is AI already doing part of your work, or is your organisation keeping all doors to it closed? If you have two minutes, we would be very grateful if you could fill out the below questionnaire (fully anonymously of course).

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Platform workers: a new era of labour protection in Singapore

The Platform Workers Act coming into effect on 1 January 2025 will be a game-changer in Singapore’s labour landscape.  It marks a significant step towards recognising the unique circumstances of platform workers and providing them with essential protections. As one of the first countries to establish specific safeguards for this growing workforce, Singapore is demonstrating its commitment to adapting labour laws to the evolving digital economy.

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Employment Bill 2024 – the perils of believing your own publicity (UK)

Employment Law

Before getting into the detail of last week’s Employment Bill, which we will do here separately, a brief review of its press release. Where new law is proposed, this is usually a good starting point from which to judge the quality of the legislation it supports. On that basis, I think it fair to say that we may be in some difficulty.

Conservative government press releases, especially latterly, tended to come full of rousing patriotic platitudes, some jibes at Europe for being foreign, music by Elgar and a Spitfire fly-past.  Judging by the press blurb for the Employment Bill, however, the tone has changed.  Here we have instead the traditional Labour catnip references to “exploitative” and “unscrupulous” employers, bolstered by a series of statements about the advantages to be brought by the new Bill for both employees and employers some of which are, and there is no nice way of putting this, simply untrue. 

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California Legislative Year-End Review: Preparing Employers for 2025 (US)

California’s busy legislative year has come to an end, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing several new laws that will impact Golden State employers. Here, we summarize the laws expected to have the greatest impact on California employers in 2025.

Unless otherwise noted below, these new laws take effect January 1, 2025.

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Taking care of business — what matters when your employees travel to and from Germany

Door entering and exiting Germany

In this mini blog series we will provide an overview of the key aspects to consider when sending one of your employees to and from Germany. First, we will take a look at short term assignments (up to six months) from an inbound and outbound perspective for citizens of certain countries outside the EU.

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“Captive Audience” Meetings Banned By New California Law (US)

California’s legislative landscape is set to shift dramatically with the recent passage of the California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act, Senate Bill 399. Set to take effect on January 1, 2025, this new law promises to reshape the dynamics of employer-employee communications, particularly in matters related to politics and labor unions.

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US Labor & Employment Webinar Series

Webinar

Join us for our October US Labor & Employment Webinar Series where we will highlight some of the key issues employers are facing today and explore where the employment law landscape is headed. Approval for CLE and HRCI credit is anticipated for all three events. Continue reading this post for more detail on the events and links to register!

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