Beyond Geographical Boundaries

The world is more connected than ever, but local experience still matters.
In fact, we think it matters a lot. We are natively global because we are globally native. 

Our highly skilled global teams deliver best-in-class results worldwide.
We value consistency and results and are prepared to bring the best talent to you, wherever you are.


For some quick HR, Legislation, Compliance, Talent, Employee Laws and other updates, click below on the cities we operate in, and you’ll get a sneak peak at some of 2025s updates in each city, country or region.

Singapore (Asia) Updates

Singapore’s Workplace Fairness Bill Becomes Law
January 2025

Parliament passed the first enforceable anti‑discrimination employment legislation, transforming voluntary guidelines into legal obligations on age, race, gender and more

Read more → Ministry of Manpower Singapore

Singapore

Sydney (New South Wales, AU) Update

NSW Rolls Out Gig‑Worker Protections
February 2025

New digital‑platform deactivation code guarantees procedural fairness and appeals rights for app‑based contractors

Read more →  NSW Small Business Commissioner

Sydney, AU

Melbourne (Victoria, AU) Update

Victoria’s 2025 Workplace Reforms Finalised

January 2025

The State has locked‑in a 1 January 2025 start for labour‑hire licensing expansion, criminal penalties for deliberate wage under‑payments and new “employee‑like” tests for gig workers. HR teams must re‑audit supply‑chain contracts and prepare for Fair Work Ombudsman spot‑checks on pay records.

Read more → Macpherson Kelley, “Employment Law Update 2025”
https://mk.com.au/employment-law-update-key-changes-in-2025/

Melbourne, AU

Auckland (NZ) Update

Auckland (NZ)

Broad Employment‑Law Changes Incoming

Proposed November 2025

New dismissal rules for high‑earners, higher minimum wages and clearer contractor tests headline the Employment Relations Amendment package. Employers should update handbooks and re‑classify contractors before the bill’s phased rollout begins 1 November 2025.

Read more → BCH Law, “Major Employment Law Changes Coming 2025”
https://www.bchlaw.co.nz/news/major-employment-law-changes-coming-new-zealand-2025-what-you-need-know

Auckland, NZ

Tokyo (Japan) Update

Tokyo (JP)

Stricter Overtime Enforcement Now Live

July 2025

Japan’s 2025 Work‑Style Reform guidelines oblige firms to track hours digitally and obtain executive sign‑off for any month above 45 hours’ overtime. Breaches can attract fines up to ¥1 million and public “name‑and‑shame” listings. HR teams should audit rosters, trim late‑night emails and roll out fatigue‑risk training before Labour Bureau spot‑checks begin.

Read more → The Japan Times – “Japan tightens overtime rules for key sectors”

Japan voters see little hope for tariff reprieve in carmaker Mazda's hometown - The Japan Times

Tokyo, JP

Hong Kong (SAR) Update

Employment Ordinance Amendment 2025 Gazetted

April 2025

Ordinance No. 27/2025 introduces six new weeks of paid maternity leave and streamlines sick‑leave calculations. It becomes enforceable six months after 30 June 2025 publication - HRIS payroll tables must be updated now.

Read more → Hong Kong Govt. Gazette, Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 PDF
https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr2025/english/ord/2025ord027-e.pdf

Hong Kong

Berlin, DE

Fast-Track Skilled-Worker Law Begins
Effective 1 June 2025

Companies can now use a streamlined “Fast-Track Procedure” under Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act (effective since March 2020) to secure work permits for non-EU professionals in as little as a few weeks. This is key to filling critical shortages in engineering, IT and healthcare. HR teams should update their global mobility playbooks to leverage the fast-track option.

Read more → German Federal Ministry of the Interior: “The new Skilled Immigration Act one year on” BMI Bundesministerium

Berlin, DE

Paris, FR

Four-Day-Week Pilot Expands
Q4 2025 Expansion

France’s national 4-day-week trial, now spanning 50+ companies, reports an average 24 % productivity lift and notable drops in absenteeism and burnout. Supported by the Ministry of Labour, participants receive expert toolkits and peer-group coaching. Learning from this pilot can help HR leaders design reduced-hour pilots without pay cuts.

Read more → American Psychological Association: “The rise of the 4-day workweek” American Psychological Association

Paris, FR

Amsterdam, NL

Pay-Transparency Bill Nears Approval
Draft Stage, Enforceable 2026

Draft legislation to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970) would require Netherlands employers with 100+ staff to publish annual gender-pay gap reports starting 2026. Public consultation runs through mid-2025. HR should begin mapping payroll data and prepare communications for affected employees.

Read more → WTW: “Netherlands extensive new pay transparency requirements proposed” Willis Towers Watson

Amsterdam, NL

London, UK

London (UK) – Employment Rights Bill Advances
Expected Royal Assent Q4 2025

Amendments to the Employment Rights Bill will grant “Day-1” flexible-working rights and extend guaranteed-hours contracts to agency workers. The bill also strengthens protections against unfair dismissal and fire-and-rehire practices. People teams should ready updated contract templates and flexible-work policies for rollout in late 2025.

Read more → Reuters: “UK employment rights plan extends guaranteed hours to agency workers” Reuters

London, UK

Dublin, IE

Ireland’s “My Future Fund” auto-enrolment scheme begins 30 September 2025

Ireland’s “My Future Fund” auto-enrolment scheme begins 30 September 2025. Employers must automatically enroll employees aged 23–60 earning €20K+ into state-managed retirement savings, starting at 1.5 % contributions (rising to 6 % over ten years), with government top-ups. Payroll and benefits teams should integrate the new scheme into their systems immediately.

Read more → Citizens Information Ireland: “Auto-enrolment pension – My Future Fund” gov.ie

Dublin, IE

Madrid, ES

Auto-Enrolment Pension Launches

Auto-enrolment scheme begins 30 September 2025

Spanish ministers agreed to slash the statutory workweek from 40 to 37.5 hours by end-2025—without salary reductions. The reform mandates digital time-tracking and reinforces the right to disconnect outside core hours. HR should plan system updates and internal communications now to hit the compliance deadline.

Read more → Reuters: “Spanish government rift over shorter working week breaks into the open” Reuters

Madrid, ES

California, US

California (US) – Pay-Range Disclosure Law Tightens
Effective 1 January 2025

Employers with 15 + staff must now include clear salary bands in all job postings and retain three years of pay-history records for audit. Non-compliance can trigger fines up to US $10,000 per violation and civil penalties. Talent teams should update ATS templates and recruitment workflows immediately.

Read more → California Legislative Information: SB 1162 Pay-Data Disclosure Requirements Legislative Information

California, US

Texas, US

Texas (US) – Skills Development Grants Expanded
April 2025 Update

The Texas Workforce Commission committed US $48 million in FY 2025 to upskill workers in cloud computing, cybersecurity and advanced trades through the Skills Development Fund. Employers can apply for grants covering training costs and job-placement support. L&D leaders should align budgets to these high-demand programs.

Read more → Texas Workforce Commission: Labour-Market Highlights Q2 2025 Texas Workforce Commission

Texas, US

New York, US

New York (US) – Salary-Transparency Review Narrows Pay Gaps
January 2025 Report

The NYC Council’s two-year audit found median gender-pay gaps down 8 percent under Local Law 59. Next, the Council plans AI-hiring bias inspections for firms with over 4,000 employees. HR should begin preparing pay-data reports and compliance protocols ahead of expanded enforcement.

Read more → NYC Council Press Release: Pay-Transparency Impact Report 2025 New York City Council

New York, US

Florida, US

Florida (US) – E-Verify Mandate Expands
Effective 1 July 2025

House Bill 955 requires every private employer in Florida to use E-Verify for new hires, removing previous exemptions. Non-compliance penalties rise to US $1,000 per day. Legal and HR teams must integrate E-Verify checks into onboarding processes and update vendor contracts now.

Read more → Rep. Jacques Files Bill Mandating E-Verify for All Private Employers Florida’s Voice

Florida, US

Toronto, ON, CA

Toronto (ON, CA) – ‘Right to Disconnect’ Policy Guidance Published
March 2025

Ontario’s ESA guide outlines best practices for formal “disconnect” policies, including written rules on after-hours contact and employee acknowledgements. While not mandated by law, clear policies help manage burnout and compliance risks. HR should draft and communicate a disconnect policy by 31 March 2025.

Read more → Mayer Brown: Canada’s Right to Disconnect Q&A Mayer Brown

Toronto, ON, CA

ZRG Corporate Headquarters

São Paulo (BR) – Telework Regulations Clarified
Updated April 2025

Brazil’s CLT telework rules now require written remote-work agreements detailing duties, equipment responsibilities and expense reimbursements. Employers must also provide ergonomic guidance and can cancel telework with 15 days’ notice. Compliance avoids fines and worker claims.

Read more → CMS Law-Expert Guide: Remote Working in Brazil CMS Law Reform

São Paulo, BR

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