Reminder: Global employment trends and predictions
Released in December, our global report reviewing 2025 and previewing 2026, helps you stay ahead of trends impacting global employers. You can also watch our Global employer briefing Q4: Year in review/2026 preview here.
Focus: Developments in the US
In the US, worker mobility remains a core regulatory and enforcement theme. On January 27, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a workshop as part of the Administration’s efforts to highlight the negative impact of noncompete agreements. Meanwhile the newly proposed ERISA Litigation Reform Act aims to create a clearer and more predictable framework for ERISA‑related litigation.
Employers face new state law obligations, including:
- In New York, new laws broadly prohibit employers from requiring workers to sign employment promissory notes, restrict employer use of consumer credit history in employment decisions, and clarify the state’s disparate impact framework. In New York City, an audit of NYC’s AI hiring law could signal increased risk for employers.
- In New Jersey, employers must now report all employee separations using the state’s Employer Response portal. In addition, effective July 17, 2026, amendments to the New Jersey Family Leave Act significantly broaden employer coverage, lower employee eligibility requirements, and extend leave to additional employees.
- In California, the Department of Industrial Relations issued a new “Know Your Rights” notice, which must be provided to employees by February 1, 2026, and the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement released a revised and updated Healthy Workplaces/Healthy Families Act poster.
Prepare: Discrimination grievances in Singapore
New laws have been finalised in Singapore setting the framework for handling workplace discrimination disputes. Expected to take effect by end‑2027, the laws introduce a three‑stage dispute resolution process: internal grievance handling, mandatory mediation and adjudication by the Employment Claims Tribunal or High Court. Employers must establish clear written grievance procedures and are recommended to begin preparing policies, training, and documentation to comply with upcoming obligations.
Monitor: EU Pay Transparency Directive
As the 7 June 2026 deadline for transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive approaches, several countries have made legislative progress. Finland has published a draft proposal. The German Commission for Implementation has published its final report. In the Netherlands, the draft implementing bill has moved to the Council of State. And Poland has published draft legislation, after already implementing some of the requirements in December 2025.
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