Workplace Rights the US Still Lacks (and Other Countries Have Them)

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

The 2025 Employment Rights Act is rolling out in the UK, and it's a big deal. Starting in April, the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay is gone, and the Act is being called the most significant overhaul of UK workplace law in decades. It's boosting job security and expanding family rights—great news for workers there. But here's the thing: even with these changes, the UK—and the US, for that matter—still trail behind many other countries when it comes to certain workplace protections. You might assume we're leaders in labor rights, but the reality is we're missing out on some pretty innovative policies. Let's look at ten workplace rights that other countries already enjoy. ### France: The Right to Disconnect France made headlines in 2017 when it gave employees the legal right to 'disconnect' from work communications outside working hours. Companies with 50 or more employees are required to negotiate specific hours when staff can be contacted electronically. Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have similar laws. Australia's version, effective August 2024, even bars employers from punishing workers who don't answer calls or emails after hours. The UK and the US have no such right—only the 48-hour average working week in the UK under the Working Time Regulations. ### Brazil: Statutory 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 end-of-year expenses. This is considered a legal wage, not a discretionary bonus, and it's owed pro-rata even on dismissal. Similar policies are mandatory across most of Latin America and parts of Europe (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain). The UK has nothing comparable, and neither does the US. ### Spain: Paid Menstrual Leave In 2023, Spain became the first European country to introduce menstrual leave. Workers experiencing periods that are medically certified as incapacitating get paid time off, funded by the state from the first day of absence. No such provision exists in UK law, and it's still a hot topic in parliament. In the US, it's not even on the radar federally. ### France: Mandatory Commute Reimbursement French employers must reimburse at least 50% of the cost of employees' public transport season tickets for the home-to-work commute—covering all staff, including part-timers and trainees. The UK has no legal requirement to subsidize commuting, and neither does the US. That's a significant expense for many workers. ### Canada: No Interview 'Ghosting' In Ontario, Canada, recent laws make it illegal for employers to 'ghost' candidates who've applied for a role. Companies with over 25 employees must notify candidates within 45 days of their interview about whether they got the job. Employers who fail to respond could face fines of up to CA$100,000 (around $75,000 USD). The UK has no comparable law, and in the US, candidates are often left hanging. ### Germany: Board-Level Employee Representation German law (Mitbestimmungsgesetz) requires large companies with over 2,000 employees to give workers half of the seats on their supervisory board. Companies with 500–2,000 employees must reserve one-third of the seats. This ensures the workforce has a representative voice in top-level business discussions. The UK has nothing comparable, and the US is even further behind. ### Netherlands: Right to Request Reduced Hours The Dutch Flexible Working Act allows employees at firms with more than 10 staff to request fewer hours, a different working pattern, or a change in working location. Employers must seriously consider these requests, and if they refuse, they must provide a solid business justification. That's a level of flexibility that's rare in the UK or the US. ### Italy: Protection Against Unfair Dismissal Italy offers strong protection against unfair dismissal for workers in companies with more than 15 employees. If a dismissal is found to be unjustified, the worker is entitled to reinstatement and back pay. The UK's employment tribunals can award compensation, but reinstatement is rarely ordered. The US operates under at-will employment, where workers can be fired for almost any reason. ### Sweden: Generous Parental Leave Sweden is famous for its parental leave policy. Parents get 480 days of paid leave per child, with 90 days reserved for each parent. That's about 16 months of paid time off, shared between both parents. The UK offers up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, but only 39 weeks are paid, and the pay is capped. The US has no federal paid parental leave at all. ### Japan: Mandatory Annual Leave Japan mandates that employers give workers at least 10 days of paid annual leave after six months of continuous employment. The number increases with tenure, and unused days expire after two years. The UK has a statutory minimum of 28 days (including public holidays), but the US has no federal requirement for paid vacation days at all. So, while the UK is making strides, and the US continues to lag, it's clear that other countries are leading the way in protecting workers' rights. Maybe it's time we looked across the pond—and beyond—for inspiration.