Changes Brewing in the European Union

Employment and equality practices are likely to undergo a good deal of change in many European nations over the next half decade as a result of the European Commission’s “Employment Agenda for a Changing Workplace”. The five-year employment agenda, which began in 2009, gives priority to issues of work/life balance, inclusion, and working conditions. Proposals have already been drafted to:

• Extend maternal leave to 18 months and give mothers more flexibility to decide when to take leave (before or after birth)


• Extend parental leave to four months, making part of the leave non-transferable (to encourage fathers to use their leave), and giving employees the right to request flexible working when they return from parental leave


• Ensure equal treatment in the delivery of goods and services regardless of age, disability, religion or belief, or sexual orientation

The Commission is expected to release proposals in the near future that would:

• Lay out an “Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action”


• Establish a “Women’s Charter” focused on elimination of the gender pay gap