Access: 2025 Global Employment Law Manuals
The 2025 edition of our Global Employment Law Manual is now available to GENIE subscribers. The manual highlights key legal obligations throughout the employment relationship and covers jurisdictions across EMEA, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Subscribers can also use the manual to create tailored comparison reports for specific countries and topics of interest.
Focus: US Developments
At the federal level, enforcement of President Trump’s DEI Executive Order continues. The EEOC and DOJ also issued technical assistance documents regarding unlawful discrimination related to DEI in the workplace. The Federal Trade Commission moved to hold the appeal of its non-compete rule banning most non-competes in abeyance while it considers whether it is in the public interest to continue defending the rule (while also reaffirming its commitment to address unfair and anti-competitive labour practices that restrict worker mobility). Meanwhile, several states (eg Virginia and Wyoming) enacted new laws restricting non-competes while others, including New York, joined those states with proposed laws.
Focus: On the Middle East
There have been many recent regulatory developments in the Middle East. In Bahrain stricter verification requirements for expat accountants and auditors have been introduced; proposals have been made for Bahrainisation in the medical sector; a new work permit option for expatriate workers has been introduced; and lowering fines for hiring expat workers has been approved. There are also proposals to offer further protections to working mothers and underpaid workers can undertake wage checks and challenge employers. In Saudi Arabia, a forced labour policy has been implemented and the UAE has introduced a 30-day registration rule for Emirati workers.
Focus: On the Nordics
In the Nordics, the focus of recent proposals for employment law reform is varied. In Sweden, plans include the expansion of criminal liability for use of trade secrets and action in relation to work-related crime. In Denmark, new legislation proposes increased freedom of speech protection for public sector employees. Meanwhile, in Finland, draft legislation has been introduced to ensure the continuance of essential work during industrial action and a recent consultation proposes changes to the grounds for termination for reasons relating to the employee.
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