Legal Voices

Mauritius is introducing significant changes to maternity leave entitlements, raising important questions about employee protections, employer responsibilities, and the future of family-friendly workplace policies. In this episode of the Meritas EMEA Employment Podcast, Sam Murray-Hinde of Howard Kennedy LLP in London speaks with Nikhil Boolell of Temple Law in Mauritius about the country's maternity leave reforms, including extended paid leave entitlements and their implications for businesses. The discussion explores how Mauritius' approach compares with the UK and other jurisdictions, the financial and operational challenges facing employers, particularly smaller businesses, and the legal protections available to employees experiencing pregnancy or maternity discrimination. Topics covered include: Changes to maternity and paternity leave entitlements in Mauritius Employer costs and workforce planning considerations Differences in parental leave policies across jurisdictions Employee protections, discrimination claims, and legal remedies Learn more about Meritas and its global network of independent law firms at www.meritas.org.

Workplace bullying and harassment remain a significant concern for employers across Europe, but legal requirements vary considerably by jurisdiction. In this episode of the Meritas EMEA Employment Group podcast, Sam Murray-Hinde of Howard Kennedy is joined by Sarah Witvrouw (Lydian, Belgium), Łukasz Górzny (DZP, Poland), and Rūta Globytė (WIDEN, Lithuania) to examine how their respective countries approach workplace bullying, harassment, and psychosocial risks. The discussion covers Belgium's structured prevention framework, proposed reforms in Poland aimed at clarifying employer obligations and strengthening employee protections, and Lithuania's emphasis on psychological safety and preventative risk management. The group also explores best practices for investigations, policy development, whistleblowing considerations, and the challenges employers face in managing harassment in remote and hybrid work environments.

Explore the key employment law considerations for employers sending workers between Sweden and Norway, including posting rules, collective bargaining agreements, working time requirements, tax exposure, and social security obligations.

This episode explores how employment law works across Canada’s provinces, including termination with and without cause, common law notice, and the importance of well-drafted employment contracts for employers operating in the Canadian market.

Platform work continues to challenge traditional employment frameworks. In this episode, Meritas Labour & Employment Group members discuss how different jurisdictions are addressing worker classification, from the EU’s new Platform Work Directive to recent Supreme Court decisions in New Zealand and ongoing litigation in the UK.

In this episode of the Meritas EMEA Employment Law Podcast, host Sam Murray-Hinde (Howard Kennedy, London) is joined by Annejet Balm (Lexence, Amsterdam), Rositsa Vasileva (DPC, Bulgaria), and Ján Gazdík (BEATOW PARTNERS, Slovakia) for a practical discussion on termination for cause across Europe. The panel explores how employers can lawfully dismiss employees in different jurisdictions, including the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. They examine the legal grounds for dismissal, procedural requirements, evidentiary standards, and the growing importance of settlement agreements.

In this episode, members of the Meritas EMEA Employment Group return to the topic of Employers of Record (EORs) to explore how these arrangements operate across additional European jurisdictions. Employment lawyers from Croatia, Germany, and France discuss whether EOR models are legally permitted, the regulatory and compliance risks businesses may face, and the practical alternatives available for hiring talent without establishing a local entity. The conversation also draws on comparative perspectives to highlight why EORs require careful legal analysis and why local rules, licensing requirements, and control considerations matter.

This episode explores how jurisdictions across the U.S. and Europe approach restrictive covenants, examining the enforceability of non-competes, non-solicitation clauses, and confidentiality obligations, and the practical considerations multinational employers must navigate.

This episode examines the shifting landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, with perspectives from the UK and Spain on legal risks, compliance requirements, and how employers can balance global values with local realities.

In this episode of the Meritas EMEA Employment Group Podcast, employment lawyers from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands discuss how works councils influence mergers and acquisitions. From mandatory consultation rights to post-acquisition considerations, our panel explores the impact of works councils across borders and shares practical insights for employers and dealmakers.