In this feature article, Nicola Ellen, Head of Corporate Responsibility, and Joanne Sear, Principal Associate at member firm Shoosmiths, provide key insights on changing ESG issues over time and why a robust ESG strategy and evidence of progress is becoming ever more important.

 

 

Focusing on important tax laws to understand in the Latin America region, the WSG Tax Group has published a guide offering detailed country-by-country insights, updates and trends with these laws and policies in the region.

Over 35 tax expert members in 17 Latin America jurisdictions contributed to the guide, which is a testament to the power of WSG member partnerships and the highest level of expertise WSG members provide on key industry updates and trends.

 

Latin America Tax Guide

Focusing on the importance of clear and concise standards of protection for whistleblowers across the European region, the WSG Employment and Labor Group has published a European Whistleblower Report with country-by-country updates on how each is implementing the EU Whistleblowing Directive.

Members in more than 20 European jurisdictions contributed to the report, which is a testament to the power of WSG member relationships and the highest level of expertise WSG members provide on key industry updates and trends.

 

European Whistleblower Report

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Indonesia During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific Vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees in the Asia Pacific region, Makarim & Taira S. provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in the Indonesia. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • Since the start of the pandemic, the government has issued numerous regulations for protecting the health and safety of employees.
  • Remote work is possible for employees, but the implementation of depends on each company.
  • A termination of employment can only happen under certain ground under the law and must be obtained with a final and binding court ruling.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

The Tax Challenges of International Remote Work

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers have seen an increased demand for international remote working arrangements.

Featured Insight 2

New Legal Notice on Digital Platform Work

The Covid-19 pandemic has played an important role in shaping labour markets by accelerating the growth of digital labour platforms which have in turn brought a number of challenges.

Featured Insight 3

Pandemic-Era Extensions for Presenting Government Claims to Public Entity Defendants Expired on October 27, 2022

On October 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 pandemic-related extensions of the deadline to present a government claim to a public entity under the Government Claims Act expired.

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Philippines During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific Vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees in the Asia Pacific region, Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in the Philippines. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • Government workplace guidelines include masking and physical distancing, and the adoption of flexible work arrangements.
  • The government allows grace periods for the payment of rentals, imposed loan moratoriums, and financial assistance to medium and enterprise sized businesses.
  • The Philippines is a "for cause" jurisdiction and employee tenure is protected by law. An employer may end employment only for just or authorized causes.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

The Future of Work: Performance management in a hybrid working world

Hybrid working is now an accepted way of working for many employees who relish the balance it brings to their lives.

Featured Insight 2

Blurred Lines in Healthcare Employment: HIPAA Implications When Employees are Patients

During the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about employee health-privacy-related symptoms, testing, and vaccination became prevalent in discussions about the workplace at all levels-from "the water cooler" to national news.

Featured Insight 3

Law on the contract of employees of digital platforms comes into effect

On September 1st, 2022, Law No. 21,431 that modifies the Labor Code to regulate the contract of employees of companies providing services through digital platforms entered into effect.

Meet your Expert

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Cambodia, Lao PDR & Myanmar During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees the Asia Pacific region, DFDL provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare curbed employers’ rights to terminate or adjust employee terms of employment for Covid-related reasons.
  • The Lao PDR government asked its employees to work from home but without general regulatory guidance on employee rights or employer requirements.
  • Employees protected by the Labor Law included those pregnant or with a child under 1 year, workers’ representatives or if in employer legal disputes.
Takeaways
  • Employers had to establish “Occupational Health and Safety Committees” or “Covid-19 Committees” for appropriate health measures in the workplace.
  • To minimize redundancy, the government provided financial support to suspended employees in certain sectors (garment, textiles, footwear & tourism).
  • Remote work was encouraged if appropriate for employers and employees with general provisions of the Labour Law and regulations applied to employees.
Takeaways
  • To minimize redundancy, the government implemented financial & tax measures for manufacturing, small and medium enterprises, and the tourism sector.
  • The government created a relief fund and loans to Myanmar’s citizen-owned businesses. The Central Bank of Myanmar revised interest & lending rates.
  • Myanmar has no specific legal provisions on remote work but the government instructed employers to encourage employees to do so during the pandemic.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

Chris Nickels Quoted in American City Business Journals Article About Significance for Employers of Latest COVID Guidance from CDC

Quarles & Brady partner Chris Nickels provided insight for an American City Business Journals article about what the latest COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) means for employers.

Featured Insight 2

Managing heat in the workplace

On Tuesday 19 July 2022 parts of the UK set new record temperatures. Charterhall in the Scottish borders recorded a temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded in Scotland.

Featured Insight 3

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Puts End to Pandemic Justified Viral Screening for COVID-19

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Puts End to Pandemic Justified Viral Screening for COVID-19

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Thailand During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees the Asia Pacific region, Kudun & Partners provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in Thailand. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • For employee financial assistance, Social Security and employer-related welfare funds contributions have been reduced or made exempt.
  • Thai government has not imposed any requirement on employers to implement a work from home policy. It is at the employer's discretion.
  • Under the Thai law, each terminated employee is entitled to at least a one-month termination notice.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

Future of work: Top tips for recruiting a diverse workforce

Fostering diversity and inclusion at the recruitment stage has a beneficial impact, not least in terms of increased applications and a greater likelihood of attracting the right talent to your organisation.

Featured Insight 2

Stanford Economist Nick Bloom shares WFH Trends and Predictions

More than two years into the pandemic, businesses are still wrestling with how to best navigate return to office (RTO).

Featured Insight 3

The Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers Regulations, 2022

Legal Notice 201 of 2022 has been published on the 13th July 2022 and will come into force on the 2nd August 2022.

Legal Vision Asia Pacific
Taiwan During the Pandemic: Employers’ Consideration

As part of our continuing WSG Asia Pacific vlog series on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected employers and employees the Asia Pacific region, LCS & Partners provides insight on measures employers have implemented to protect employees and minimize redundancy in Taiwan. And, address procedures for remote and in-office work arrangements based on latest government and legislative changes.

WSG's Vlog series focuses on important topics in different regions, with member firms and expert leaders providing valuable insights and perspectives.

Relive the Experience

Takeaways
  • The government has provided financing assistance to certain industries most directly affected by the pandemic and expanded employee subsidies for unemployment reduction in work hours.
  • There are no new labor regulations that entitle employees to work from home and requests are thus handled at the employer’s discretion, line with the employer’s policies.
  • Taiwan is not an at-will jurisdiction, and unilateral termination of employment is only permitted in very limited situations.

Featured Insights

Featured Insight 1

Compensation Structure in the Post-COVID Remote-Work Era

The pandemic generated a migration of employees from metro-based offices to smaller, more affordable communities where they could work from home.

Featured Insight 2

Tax Implications of PEZA's 70-30 Work From Home Arrangement

On 2 August 2021, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) adopted Resolution No. 19-21, a temporary measure to support the recovery of registered business enterprises (RBE) during the covid-19 pandemic.

Featured Insight 3

Challenging Times Ahead for UK Businesses and Their Directors

Running a business can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it is not without its challenges. While pandemic-related restrictions have eased, rising energy costs and inflationary pressures continue to cause concern for UK businesses.

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