A new report from global HR platform Boundless outlines how employment law is evolving worldwide, with significant implications for companies hiring internationally.
The Employment Legislation Changes 2025 report highlights key legal updates in 22 countries, covering wage growth incentives, worker protections, AI compliance in HR tools and formalised flexible work rights.
Governments are implementing policies that prioritise fairness, equity and protection from exploitation. While much debate in corporate circles has focused on remote work policies, legislative changes extend beyond this, touching on broader workplace rights and responsibilities.
Dee Coakley, CEO and Founder of Boundless, explains that employment laws are expanding worker protections, strengthening flexible work rights and introducing stricter compliance requirements. She notes that businesses with distributed teams must stay informed to remain compliant in multiple jurisdictions.
Employment Law, AI Regulation and Workplace Compliance
A major theme in the 2025 legislative updates is AI regulation in employment. The EU is introducing the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence law, which will oversee AI-driven hiring, performance tracking and employee monitoring. Businesses using AI in HR processes must comply with strict new guidelines. The UK is considering similar regulations as AI continues to play a growing role in recruitment and workplace management.
Stronger worker protections are also being introduced in several countries. The UK’s proposed Employment Rights Bill aims to increase safeguards against unfair dismissal and tighten regulations around zero-hour contracts. Lithuania is reinforcing workplace harassment protections, while Singapore’s Workplace Fairness Legislation is introducing new anti-discrimination measures.
Flexible Work and the Right to Disconnect
Several countries are moving to enshrine flexible work arrangements in law. Finland, Ireland and the Czech Republic are introducing legislation that guarantees employees legal access to remote or hybrid work. The UK’s Employment Rights Bill is expected to make it more difficult for employers to reject flexible work requests without providing a justified business reason.
Australia has recently introduced legal protections against out-of-hours work expectations, expanding the so-called ‘right to disconnect.’ The UK is under increasing pressure from unions and employment groups to adopt similar measures.
