European Union: Contract of Employment

Belgium's employment law landscape is undergoing significant changes with the reintroduction of probationary-like provisions and new notice period caps. Starting June 1, 2026, employers and employees will navigate a one-week notice period during the first six months of employment, while long-tenured workers will see their maximum notice period capped at 52 weeks after 17 years of service.

Recent labor law reforms in Belgium aim to modernize and increase flexibility in the legal framework, impacting the entire employment relationship cycle from working time organization to human resources management. This thematic analysis examines key changes in employee benefits and pension bonus plans, highlighting practical implications for businesses navigating the government's push toward more attractive and transparent compensation policies.

A Dutch court has ruled that agency work arrangements lasting more than seven years cannot be considered temporary, potentially creating an indefinite employment relationship between the worker and the hiring company.

The Department of Labour Relations in Cyprus is conducting a comprehensive compliance review, requiring all employers to submit written employment terms for every employee by 31 July 2026. This initiative stems from the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Law...

Malta's employment framework distinguishes between employment agreements and services agreements, each carrying distinct legal implications for parties entering into working relationships. Understanding the statutory requirements, termination procedures, and obligations under each arrangement is essential for employers and service providers operating within Malta's regulatory environment.

The Portuguese Government has introduced Bill No. 77/XVII/1, known as the "Work XXI" project, representing a significant overhaul of the country's labor and employment framework. Littler Portugal has created a comprehensive 150-question guide to help HR professionals navigate the proposed changes and understand their practical implications for workplace management and compliance.

Intra-corporate transfers in Malta enable global organizations to manage cross-border workforce mobility through the ICT permit system, administered under EU Directive 2014/66/EU.

Czechia's draft Pay Transparency Directive legislation represents one of the EU's most structurally prescriptive early transposition models, extending beyond transparency obligations into mandatory pay system...

A Rotterdam District Court has submitted a preliminary question to the Supreme Court regarding whether incapacitated employees accrue holiday entitlements during dormant employment periods.