Discrimination Chicago Cubs accused of discrimination in trans worker complaint HR complaint leaked to co-workers led to a surge in harassment and physical threats, lawsuit alleges Modern Slavery Seasonal migrant workers beat UK tribunal time bar First-instance decision failed to consider public interest in modern slavery claims Flexibility UK firms must prepare now for rise in parental leave requests New Employment Rights Act measures end qualifying periods, extend paternity leave, and introduce protections for bereaved partners Community Schjødt and Norrbom Vinding reveal merger plans Deal significantly strengthens Scandinavian legal giant’s Danish offering Harassment Googler made redundant “for reporting sexual harassment”, tribunal hears Senior staffer faced “relentless campaign of retaliation” after reporting client complaints about “swinger” boss, lawsuit alleges Flexibility Tata halts reviews for workers ignoring return-to-office order Company makes good on March 2024 ultimatum for staff to return to office or face repercussions Labour Reforms Kinstellar: What 2026 will bring for employers in Central and Eastern Europe A dense EU compliance agenda – from pay transparency to AI – demands early preparation and coordinated workforce strategy Harassment McDonald’s UK accused of violating international labour standards Fast-food giant under pressure to deal with sexual harassment reports following a 2023 BBC investigation alleging a “toxic culture” at its UK restaurants Culture Japan’s bosses play Cupid with new employee dating app Firms are trying to help staff find spouses as demographic decline concern grows 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