Work/Life: international employment news update

Issue 54

Welcome to the latest edition of our international employment news update. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, we wanted to direct readers to our practical resources aimed at supporting those who wish to understand and help the circumstances of Ukrainian people who want to be able to live and work. Here is the link led by our CE offices:

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Airbnb staff can indefinitely work from home

The move will apply to all employees globally and will not result in a pay cut even if those living in metropolitan areas decide to move out. Pay across all regions will be standardised based on metropolitan pay so those working in regional offices will receive a raise. Other companies who have embraced remote working, such as Google and Amazon, have implemented a pay cut for those deciding to move out of metropolitan areas.

London law firm offers full-time work from home with a pay cut

Stephenson Harwood has offered staff the option to WFH permanently if they take a 20% pay cut. The current policy is that staff should be in the office for three days a week. Those who take the offer will need to report to the office just once a month. The firm says it does not expect many to take up the offer.

Ukrainians working in NL

More than 4,300 refugees from Ukraine are now working in the Netherlands. Refugees mainly work through employment agencies and in agriculture and horticulture. A total of 47,930 Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are now registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP). Nearly 10 percent of that number are now employed.

Thousands of Slovak jobs available

According to the data presented by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, there are currently more than 32,000 job vacancies on the Slovak labour market suitable for foreigners. They mostly include jobs which do not require higher qualifications or involve potential problems with language barriers. In addition, a major surge in the number of job vacancies suitable for foreigners is expected in the coming months due to summer seasonal vacancies.

The Czech Republic struggles with low unemployment rates

Czech companies have long been struggling with the consequences of low unemployment, which is below four percent. Hiring foreigners is the only solution to compensate for the lack of people on the labour market. However, this is a lengthy process in the Czech Republic. This is partly due to the current form of the Labour Code, which protects employees against unfair conditions and employers can do little against people who do not fulfil their work obligations.

Polish government proposes personal income tax cut

The Polish government has approved a tax law amendment that would simplify the Polish Deal Tax reform which was met with sharp criticism, having been in force for only four months. To mitigate the negative effects of the reform, the government proposes lowering the basic rate of the personal income tax to 12% from 17%. If the Polish Parliament manages to pass the amendment without delay, the new rules could be in force from July 2022.

Dutch gender wage gap: Women earned 13% less than men last year

The average hourly wage for women was 13 percent lower than for men last year, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported. Looking at annual wages, including bonuses, the gender gap is significant. Women earned an average of 36 percent less than men last year. According to the stats office, this can largely be explained by women working fewer hours than men. Men in an employee job worked an average of 33 hours per week last year, women 25 hours.

Amazon workers in Germany go on strike

2,500 workers are demanding higher wages and better personal data protection. Seven Amazon locations will be striking including two distribution centres.

UK financial regulator staff to strike over pay

Staff at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), represented by Unite, will stage their first ever walkout this week. The FCA has offered the workers a 12% pay rise over the next two years with a one-off cash payment of 4%. Unite says the offer represents a pay cut given the rising inflation rate rise.