Politics Back to work: Is Japan’s new leader about to revive old ideas? Sanae Takaichi channels Thatcher-style conservatism, pledging to revive the economy while hinting at longer working hours and stricter immigration controls Disputes The “everyone has issues” approach to health not only insensitive, it is unlawful NHS coder wins disability discrimination claim after being criticised for not “compartmentalising” non-work issues Labour Reforms Poland’s broadened service rules expand worker rights but burden bosses New law recognises self-employment and civil contracts for tenure-based benefits, but firms must brace for heavy HR workloads and rising compliance costs Health & Safety India’s politicians aim to balance women’s safety with nightshift needs States are rethinking outdated restrictions and seeking to empower women while strengthening workplace protections Future of Work JSA: Kerala leads India’s right to disconnect movement First state-level bill aims to draw a firm line between work and home life by making digital downtime a legal right Community Plaintiff lawyer crosses courtroom to join Jackson Lewis Former Nichols Kaster leader Paul Lukas joins Minneapolis office as a principal Pay transparency Why Daimler Truck ruling rewrites the rules on equal pay comparisons Decision strengthens women’s hand in pay discrimination claims and shifts the burden of proof onto employers Defamation Moët Hennessy and ex-employee clash in Paris defamation case Maria Gasparovic accused of publicly defaming LVMH-owned luxury drinks group after posting harassment and discrimination claims online Contracts Arias Law: How to implement reasonable changes to working conditions in Guatemala Ius Variandi is a useful management tool when understood and applied with care Events Spring European Employment Summit International Employment Lawyer is delighted to announce that the third Spring European Employment Summit will take place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th of March at Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam.The event will bring together senior in-house and private practice lawyers to explore the challenges and opportunities facing multinational employers and their counsel across the region. Research IEL Monitor IEL Monitor is a forward-looking, fully searchable database of upcoming and prospective employment and labour legislation from around the world, designed to alert in-house teams of new laws and regulations, and support timely compliance. Labour Reforms Modernising Argentina’s work rules in a changing political landscape Politics Ethics on the edge: Trump-era politics reshape UK corporate behaviour Crime Security guard’s sticky fingers prosecution debated in South Korea