COVID-19 – International matrix of key employment issues

Our International Matrix covers Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the UK answering the following questions:

Sick pay

• What are the usual obligations on employers to provide paid sick leave?
• As a result of Covid-19, are there any special measures in relation to sick leave?

Lay-offs / short time working

• Do employers have a right to lay off employees (i.e. put them on unpaid leave) or impose short-time working?
• As a result of Covid-19, are there any special measures in relation to lay-offs or short-time working?

Termination of employment

• Are there legal limits on the circumstances in which an employee can be dismissed?
• Are there any statutory notice periods?
• Are there any formal requirements?
• Are there any statutory severance costs?
• Is it possible to pay in lieu of notice and bring the employment to an end immediately?
• Can dismissal be ineffective/ void if not done in accordance with contract/applicable law?
• Is there any requirement to notify or consult with any trade union, employee council, local labour authority or other third party in connection with the termination of employment?
• Which employees enjoy special protection against dismissal?
• Are there any specific procedures an employer has to follow when dismissing an employee?
• Does the employer have any additional obligations in relation to mass redundancies?
• As a result of COVID-19, are there any special measures in place in relation to termination?

Holiday entitlement

• What rights do employees have in relation to holiday entitlement?
• As a result of Covid-19, are there any special measures re. holiday?

Other country-specific advice

For further country-specific advice covering other various issues across numerous jurisdictions, including access to our previous webinars see more here.