Employment in Financial Services
Contributing Editor
In a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, employers in the financial services sector must ensure they are fully compliant with local employment rules and procedures. Helping to mitigate risk, IEL’s guide provides clear answers to the key issues facing employers in the sector
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02. Are there particular pre-screening measures that need to be taken when engaging a financial services employee? Does this vary depending on seniority or type of role? In particular, is there any form of regulator-specified reference that has to be provided by previous employers in the financial services industry?
03. What documents should be put in place when engaging employees within the financial services industry? Are any particular contractual documents required?
04. Do any categories of employee need to have special certification in order to undertake duties for financial services employers? If so, what are the requirements that apply?
05. Do any categories of employee have enhanced responsibilities under the applicable regulatory regime?
06. Is there a register of financial services employees that individuals will need to be listed on to undertake particular business activities? If so, what are the steps required for registration?
07. Are there any specific rules relating to compensation payable to financial services employees in your jurisdiction, including, for example, limits on variable compensation, or provisions for deferral, malus and/or clawback of monies paid to employees?
08. Are there particular training requirements for employees in the financial services sector?
09. Is there a particular code of conduct and/or are there other regulations regarding standards of behaviour that financial services employees are expected to adhere to?
10. Are there any circumstances in which notifications relating to the employee or their conduct will need to be made to local or international regulators?
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11. Are there any particular requirements that employers should implement with respect to the prevention of wrongdoing, for example, related to whistleblowing or the prevention of harassment?
12. Are there any particular rules or protocols that apply when terminating the employment of an employee in the financial services sector, including where a settlement agreement is entered into?
13. Are there any particular rules that apply in relation to the use of post-termination restrictive covenants for employees in the financial services sector?
14. Are non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) potentially lawful in your jurisdiction? If so, must they follow any particular form or rules?
11. Are there any particular requirements that employers should implement with respect to the prevention of wrongdoing, for example, related to whistleblowing or the prevention of harassment?
11. Are there any particular requirements that employers should implement with respect to the prevention of wrongdoing, for example, related to whistleblowing or the prevention of harassment?
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Netherlands
Netherlands
- at Lexence
Financial services companies must create a safe and healthy work environment. Furthermore, financial services sector companies have a statutory responsibility to protect consumers from unethical, unprofessional and negligent behaviour and services. In this regard, it is advisable (and common) to implement an internal code of conduct.
Under Dutch law, financial services companies must set up an internal reporting procedure (with specific requirements) where suspected misconduct can be reported.
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United States
United States
- at Morgan Lewis & Bockius
- at Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Whistleblowing in the United States is governed by two main statutory sources, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Dodd-Frank Act (Dodd-Frank).
SOX protects whistleblowers who report violations of securities laws to:
- federal regulatory bodies or law enforcement;
- members of Congress or congressional committees; or
- supervisors or persons authorised by the employer to investigate, discover, or terminate misconduct.
Dodd-Frank generally only protects whistleblowers who report violations of the securities or commodities laws to the SEC or CFTC. However, it also prohibits employers from discriminating against financial services employees for objecting or refusing to participate in any activity that would be a violation of securities law (note that Dodd-Frank prohibits mandatory arbitration of retaliation claims under the Act).
Whistleblowers in the banking industry are also protected under both federal and applicable state laws for reporting violations of banking law to the US Department of Justice.
Under Dodd-Frank and banking laws, employees may be offered a bounty for whistleblowing activities that results in successful enforcement actions.
Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Claims are not subject to mandatory FINRA arbitration, though the claims may be arbitrated if all parties agree.
Californian employers with at least five employees globally must implement policies and provide training on the prohibition of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace.
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Contributors
Belgium
Van Olmen & Wynant
Brazil
Tortoro Madureira & Ragazzi Advogados
France
DS Avocats
Germany
Kliemt.HR Lawyers
Hong Kong
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
India
AZB & Partners
Ireland
Maples Group
Isle of Man
Cains
Mexico
Marván, González Graf y González Larrazolo
Netherlands
Lexence
Singapore
TSMP Law Corporation
Switzerland
Walder Wyss
UAE
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
United Kingdom
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
United States
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Contributors
Netherlands
Lexence
United States
Morgan Lewis & Bockius