Intelligence

Dutch companies with 50 or more employees must establish works councils that hold statutory consultation rights over significant business decisions. Understanding when works council advice is required—particularly for financings, guarantees, security packages, and control transfers—is essential for transaction planning and legal compliance.

In July 2026, the German Federal Government adopted the National Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining (Action Plan) and submitted it to the Bundestag in September 2026.

Belgian employers approaching the 50- or 100-worker threshold face a critical decision point: the 2028 social elections may seem distant, but the reference period for calculating workforce averages has already begun. Every hiring and departure between October 2026 and September 2027 directly impacts whether your company must organize mandatory employee representative elections. Understanding these calculations and their strategic implications is essential for workforce planning in the coming months.

Arthur Cox unveils its refreshed 2026-2028 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, building on established foundations through four key pillars focused on gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, and disability and neurodiversity. The firm emphasizes practical approaches to recognizing and supporting difference while maintaining transparency and accountability in delivering on its inclusion ambitions.

The Dutch pension transition from defined benefits to defined contributions is creating complex challenges around compensation for employees. Pension providers and employers face disputes over disclosure requirements, reorganization scenarios, and timing issues that can cause employees to miss out on or double up on compensation. Legal experts examine the emerging conflicts and overlooked considerations as the 2028 implementation deadline approaches.

Managing workforce restructuring across international borders requires careful navigation of diverse legal frameworks and practical considerations. This comprehensive guide examines the critical dos and don'ts that employers must understand when implementing organizational changes affecting employees in multiple jurisdictions.