Topic

Policy & Law

Employment law, enforcement and court rulings, immigration, payroll tax and social insurance changes around the world.

United States·Policy & Law

Trump administration moves to end H-1B extension protections, finalizes work permit renewal restrictions

The Trump administration, through DHS and USCIS, is proposing to eliminate a rule requiring officers to generally defer to prior approvals when reviewing extension petitions for employment-based visas including H-1B and L-1, and has finalized a separate rule ending automatic work permit extensions for certain foreign nationals including H-1B spouses. Both measures were made available for public inspection Tuesday and are set for Federal Register publication Wednesday, with significant expected impact on Indian nationals who make up the majority of H-1B holders and H-4 work-authorized spouses.

08:41 · via INDIA New England News
United States·Policy & Law

USCIS Begins Approving H-1B Petitions Filed Without $100,000 Fee

USCIS began approving H-1B petitions filed without the $100,000 supplemental fee required by Trump administration, which had exceeded expedited processing timelines. The fee was established September 2025 and extended to September 21, 2027; a June 2026 Massachusetts federal court ruled against it, with the government appealing.

25 Oct · via Hindustan Times

Latest

197 in the last two weeks

Today · Monday 26 October

  • Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law

    Thailand officially postpones Employee Welfare Fund contributions to 1 January 2027

    On 22 October 2026, Thailand's Royal Gazette published a Royal Decree officially postponing the start of employee savings and employer contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund to 1 January 2027.

    via JD Supra
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Chile to require employers' first gender equity report in March 2027

    Under Chile's Law No. 21,828, companies in Chile will be required to submit their first gender equity report in March 2027. The obligation establishes a new employer reporting requirement on gender equity.

    via JD Supra
  • China·Policy & Law

    Shanghai's local sick leave pay calculation rules expired on Aug 15, 2026

    Effective August 15, 2026, the local regulations governing sick leave pay calculations in Shanghai have expired. This affects how employers in Shanghai calculate sick leave pay going forward.

  • Europe·Policy & Law

    UK government publishes consultation responses on Employment Rights Act dismissal rules

    The UK government has published responses to consultations on dismissal and re-engagement (fire and rehire) practices and on extending dismissal protection for pregnant employees, part of implementing the Employment Rights Act reform plan. Related reforms also address zero-hours contracts and shift pattern changes.

    via JD Supra
  • United States·Policy & Law

    Colorado business groups urge delay on AI hiring disclosure rules

    Colorado business groups are asking Attorney General Phil Weiser to delay enforcement of the state's AI decision-making tools law and to tighten definitions of 'data sources,' a tool's 'material influence,' and 'meaningful human review' before finalizing rules. The AG's office is finalizing disclosure and appeal-rights requirements for AI use in job, credit, or housing decisions, having heard public testimony on the latest draft this week.

    via Bloomberg Law News
  • United States·Policy & Law

    San Francisco mayor signs ordinance revising health care spending rules for airport employers

    On October 16, 2026, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie signed Ordinance No. 213-26, amending the city's Healthy Airport Ordinance to revise health care spending requirements for certain airport employers.

    via JD Supra
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Canada updates Express Entry rules for high-wage occupations

    Law firm Pryor Cashman published an advisory noting changes to Canada's Express Entry immigration system affecting high-wage occupations, urging applicants to review and update their Express Entry profiles.

    via Pryor Cashman LLP
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    UK tribunal awards £14,830 to Black youth worker over race harassment

    A Reading Employment Tribunal ruled that West Berkshire District Council failed to take seriously the complaints of Black youth worker Louise Williams-St Louis after she was called a 'slave' by a young person in her care, and colleagues compared it to being called 'fat' or 'old'. The tribunal found this amounted to race harassment and awarded her £14,830.

    via The Independent
  • United States·Policy & Law

    White House clears proposed PERM green card overhaul to boost protections for US workers

    The White House has cleared a proposed overhaul of the PERM employment-based green card program, weeks after PERM suspensions hit major companies including Microsoft. The Labor Department says current rules date to 2004 and rely on outdated newspaper ads. Reforms would focus on recruiting Americans, protecting laid-off workers, non-discriminatory hiring and employer recordkeeping, and will go out for public comment.

    via M9.news
  • United States·Policy & Law

    US completes federal review, moves to tighten PERM green card sponsorship rules

    The US government is moving to revise employment-based green card sponsorship requirements after completing a federal review of proposed changes to the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. Separately, the Netherlands will introduce new rules for employers sponsoring foreign workers starting Nov. 1.

    via Nairametrics
  • United States·Policy & Law

    AI notetaker transcripts emerge as key evidence in employment discrimination lawsuit

    A recent employment discrimination lawsuit highlighted how AI notetaker transcripts from video meetings can become key evidence for plaintiffs' attorneys. Law firm Fisher Phillips outlined lessons for employers on managing legal risks tied to AI meeting-recording tools.

    via JD Supra
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Canada issues 792 ITAs in Express Entry provincial nominee draw

    Canada's IRCC held an Express Entry draw on Oct. 26 for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, issuing 792 invitations to apply for permanent residence with a CRS cut-off score of 761. Candidates needed profiles created before April 3, 2026.

    via CIC News
  • United States·Policy & Law

    New wave of restrictive covenant litigation focuses on function over form

    Law firm Proskauer notes a new trend in restrictive covenant litigation: clauses not labeled as noncompetes, such as certain confidentiality provisions, can still be treated by courts as restrictive covenants if they function to limit employee mobility or competition.

    via JD Supra
  • United States·Policy & Law

    ERISA requires employers to use employee share of insurer rebates by Dec. 30

    Under ERISA, employers that received a medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate from insurers must distribute or apply the employee share within roughly three months of receipt; those receiving rebates on September 30 face a deadline around December 30. A KFF analysis estimates insurers issued about $759 million in MLR rebates in 2026, down from $1.6 billion in 2025 and $958 million in 2024.

    via Human Resources Director
  • United States·Policy & Law

    Michigan unemployment system closes Nov. 2, employers must activate new accounts first

    Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency will permanently shut down its legacy MiWAM system at 4:30 p.m. on November 2, with the replacement MiUI system's benefits functions going live on November 9; both systems will be unavailable in between. Employers must retrieve an eight-digit activation code from MiWAM before the deadline to set up a MiUI account, a step third-party administrators cannot complete for them. About 23,165 Michigan employers, roughly 10 percent, had not yet done so.

    via Human Resources Director
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    UK right-to-work scheme expands from 1 October to cover contractors and agency workers

    From 1 October 2026, the UK's right-to-work scheme expanded beyond direct employees to cover workers engaged under a worker's contract, individual subcontractors, or via online matching services, and introduces extended liability for businesses relying on other employers to supply workers. Employing someone without the right to work can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per worker and possible criminal sanctions. The Home Office has issued guidance on the expanded rules.

    via People Management
  • United States·Policy & Law

    US gag clause attestation due Dec. 31, outsourcing doesn't shift employer liability

    Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA-21), group health plans must file an annual Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation (GCPCA) with CMS by December 31, applying to fully insured and self-insured plans of any size except those offering only excepted benefits. The article notes that even when self-insured sponsors delegate filing to a third-party administrator, legal liability remains with the employer.

    via Human Resources Director
  • United States·Policy & Law

    Macy's drops ERISA suit but voluntary benefits broker commission risk remains

    A proposed class action, Munson v. Macy's Inc., filed October 3, 2026 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice shortly after filing. It alleged that of $36.1 million in supplemental insurance premiums paid by Macy's employees from 2019-2024, about $13.2 million (36.7%) went to broker commissions and fees, potentially breaching ERISA fiduciary duty. These remain unproven allegations, but the underlying legal theory is spreading to other employers.

    via Human Resources Director
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Colombian unions reject government's eight draft decrees altering labor reform

    Colombian unions CUT and CGT, along with pensioner confederations under CNU, issued a statement on October 20 rejecting eight draft decrees proposed by the Labor Ministry, warning they could weaken labor inspection, harassment protections, and rights tied to the 2025 labor reform—including rules on outsourcing, collective pacts, and inspection conditions for domestic workers and journalists. The unions demand continued tripartite dialogue.

    via Latam Gremial
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    Dutch government plan to scrap staff discount tax break aims to save €123m a year

    The Dutch government plans to save €123 million a year by scrapping the tax-free staff discount scheme, which currently lets employees buy employer products at up to 20% off, capped at €500 annually. If the Tax Plan 2027 passes, the exemption would end January 1, 2027. Retail association InRetail calls the proposal a 'farce', while union FNV says the discount matters for low-paid retail staff.

    via Almere Zaken
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform creates digitization opportunity for SMEs

    An article discusses how Mexico's gradual transition to a 40-hour workweek reform presents SMEs with an opportunity to digitize attendance, leave, and labor records to improve HR management and decision-making. Per INEGI's ENOE survey, 9.2 million subordinate workers logged more than 48 hours per week in Q2 2026.

    via Reforma
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Mexico's labor reform to phase in reduced work week starting 2027

    Mexico has approved a labor reform reducing the standard work week, amending the Federal Labor Law and Constitution. The reduction will be phased in gradually starting in 2027, aiming to protect jobs and reduce burnout, benefiting over 64% of workers who currently work more than 41 hours weekly.

    via IDC Online
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    UK government to launch consultation on reforming equal pay system

    The UK government is set to launch a consultation on reforming the equal pay system, under legislation dating back to 1970 aimed at removing sex-based pay disparities. The consultation acknowledges that assessing work of 'equal value' and the material factor defence are the two most complex, litigation-prone areas. Legal experts say an overhaul will not be straightforward.

    via People Management
  • United States·Policy & Law

    28 US states and DC require employers to give workers paid time off to vote

    Election Day (Nov. 3) is not a federal holiday, and no federal law requires private employers to give workers time off to vote, per employment law firms Jackson Lewis and Ogletree Deakins. Whether paid voting leave is required depends on state law; 28 states plus Washington, D.C. mandate voting leave, with 21 of them requiring paid leave or barring wage deductions, some with conditions.

    via Money Talks News
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Argentina's statutory workweek to drop to 46 hours in 2027

    Argentine media report that the statutory workweek will be reduced to 46 hours starting in 2027, raising questions about whether employers can cut pay in proportion to fewer hours worked. The report does not specify the underlying law or implementation details.

    via El Cronista
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    EU Pay Transparency Directive emerges as an M&A due diligence issue

    According to Freshfields, pay transparency is increasingly viewed as an M&A due diligence and valuation issue rather than a standalone HR compliance matter, driven by implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive and expected increases in equal pay claims and reporting obligations. Unrecognized gender pay gaps can create back-pay liabilities, litigation exposure and reputational risk, with remediation often requiring substantial compensation restructuring costs.

    via Freshfields
  • Europe·Policy & Law

    25 Dutch trade associations urge government to keep tax-free staff discount scheme

    The Dutch House of Representatives earlier voted to scrap, from January 1, 2027, the tax exemption allowing employers to give staff up to 20% discount (capped at €500/year) on company products or services, to fund energy price compensation. 25 trade associations are now urging lawmakers to retain the scheme, backed by union FNV, which says it matters for low-wage retail workers.

    via NOS
  • United States·Policy & Law

    Washington state minimum wage rises to $17.73 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027

    Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Washington state's minimum wage will rise to $17.73 per hour, up 60 cents from 2026, with an adjusted rate for 14- and 15-year-old workers. The update also covers changes to exempt employee salary thresholds and noncompete rules.

    via JD Supra
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Brazil's CNI challenges supreme court over overtime pay for heat-recovery breaks

    Brazil's National Confederation of Industry (CNI) filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) challenging a Superior Labor Court (TST) ruling requiring overtime pay for lack of heat-recovery breaks. CNI argues the ruling misapplies labor code provisions meant for other types of breaks, imposing costs not stipulated by law.

    via Agência de Notícias da Indústria
  • Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law

    Manitoba issues 1,304 letters of advice to apply for provincial nomination

    Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program issued 1,304 Letters of Advice to Apply on Oct. 22: 734 to Manitoba graduates and spouses, 513 to top-scoring in-province candidates, and 57 to strategically recruited candidates. Applicants have 60 days to submit full nomination applications.

    via CIC News