10 Workplace Rights Other Countries Have That the US Still Lacks

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

You might think the United States leads the world in workplace protections, but the reality is we're falling behind in some pretty surprising ways. While the UK is rolling out its biggest employment law overhaul in decades with the 2025 Employment Rights Act, there are still plenty of rights other countries take for granted that we don't have. Let's take a look at ten of them. ### France: The Right to Disconnect France made headlines back in 2017 when it gave employees the legal right to ignore work emails and calls after hours. Companies with 50 or more people have to negotiate specific times when staff can be contacted electronically. Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have followed suit. Australia's version, which took effect in August 2024, even bans employers from punishing workers who don't answer after-hours messages. The UK has no such law, only the 48-hour average workweek under the Working Time Regulations. In the US, we don't have a federal right to disconnect either, though some states are starting to explore it. ### Brazil: The 13th Month Salary Brazil's "décimo terceiro salário" has been a constitutional right since the 1960s. Employers must pay every formal employee an extra month's wage each year, split into two mandatory installments. It's designed to boost the economy and help with holiday expenses. This isn't a bonus, it's a legal wage, and it's owed even if you're fired. Similar policies exist across most of Latin America and parts of Europe, including Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The US has nothing comparable. ### Spain: Paid Menstrual Leave In 2023, Spain became the first European country to introduce paid menstrual leave for workers with medically certified incapacitating periods. The state funds this time off from day one. The UK doesn't have this, though it's a hot topic in parliament. In the US, it's virtually nonexistent at the federal level, though a few companies have voluntarily adopted policies. ### France: Mandatory Commute Reimbursement French employers must reimburse at least 50% of the cost of public transport season tickets for the home-to-work commute, covering all staff including part-timers and trainees. No US employer is legally required to subsidize commuting, even though the average commute is about 26 miles round trip. ### Canada: No Interview Ghosting In Ontario, Canada, it's now illegal for employers to ghost job candidates. Companies with over 25 employees must notify applicants within 45 days of their interview whether they got the job. Fines can reach up to $75,000 USD. The US has no comparable law, leaving many job seekers in limbo. ### Germany: Board-Level Employee Representation German law requires companies with over 2,000 employees to give workers half the seats on their supervisory board. Firms with 500 to 2,000 employees must reserve one-third of the seats. This gives employees a direct voice in top-level business decisions. The US has nothing like this, though some companies have voluntary worker councils. ### Netherlands: Right to Request Reduced Hours The Dutch Flexible Working Act lets employees at companies with more than 10 staff request fewer hours, a different work schedule, or even a different work location. Employers must seriously consider these requests and can only refuse for compelling business reasons. The US has no federal right to request reduced hours, though some states have family leave laws. ### Japan: Mandatory Annual Leave Japan's labor law requires employers to grant at least 10 paid vacation days per year to full-time workers, increasing with tenure. While the US has no federal paid vacation mandate, many American workers get less than 10 days. Japan also has a "karoshi" (death from overwork) prevention law that caps overtime at 45 hours per month in most cases. ### Sweden: 6-Hour Workday Trials Sweden has experimented with 6-hour workdays in various municipalities and companies. While not nationwide, trials in Gothenburg showed that shorter hours led to happier, more productive workers and reduced sick leave. The US average workweek is still around 40 hours, with many working more. ### Australia: Right to Request Flexible Work Australia gives employees the right to request flexible working arrangements, including changes to hours, patterns, or location. Employers can only refuse on reasonable business grounds. The US has no federal right to request flexible work, though the pandemic has made remote work more common. These examples show that while the US is a global leader in many areas, workplace rights are one place where we can learn from others. Whether it's the right to disconnect, paid menstrual leave, or board-level representation, other countries are finding ways to improve work-life balance and employee well-being. The question is, will the US catch up?