The Workplace Perks Other Countries Have That You're Missing

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

You might think your country leads the world when it comes to worker protections. But take a closer look at what employees enjoy elsewhere, and you'll quickly realize how much ground there is to make up. From mandatory 13th-month salaries to the legal right to ignore your boss after hours, these workplace rights are already a reality for millions of workers overseas. Here's a look at ten standout examples of labor protections that go beyond the basics, and what they could mean for the future of work. ### France: The Right to Disconnect France made headlines back in 2017 by giving employees the legal right to switch off from work communications outside of working hours. Under this law, companies with 50 or more employees must negotiate specific times when staff can be contacted electronically. It's not just France either. Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have all introduced similar protections. Australia's version, which took effect in August 2024, goes a step further by banning employers from penalizing workers who don't answer calls or emails after hours. In the UK, there's still no equivalent right, only the 48-hour average working week under the Working Time Regulations. ### 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 salary each year, split into two mandatory installments. This isn't a discretionary bonus, it's a legal wage, and it's owed pro-rata even if you're dismissed. The idea is to boost the economy and help workers cover end-of-year expenses. Similar policies are mandatory across most of Latin America and in parts of Europe, including Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The UK has nothing comparable. ### 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 can take paid time off, funded by the state from the first day of absence. It's a progressive step, and while no such provision exists in UK law, it's becoming an increasingly hot topic in parliament. ### France: Mandatory Commute Reimbursement No UK employer is legally required to subsidize commuting, but in France, they are. French employers must reimburse at least 50% of the cost of employees' public transport season tickets for the home-to-work commute. This covers all staff, including part-timers and trainees. It's a simple policy that makes a real difference to people's monthly budgets. ### Canada: No More Interview Ghosting In Ontario, Canada, recent law provisions have made it illegal for employers to "ghost" job candidates. Companies with over 25 employees must notify candidates within 45 days of their interview, informing them whether they were successful. Employers who fail to respond could face fines of up to CA$100,000, which is roughly $73,000 USD. The UK has no comparable law, leaving many candidates in the dark. ### Germany: Board-Level Employee Representation German law, under the *Mitbestimmungsgesetz*, requires large companies with over 2,000 employees to give workers half of the seats on their supervisory board. For companies with 500 to 2,000 employees, at least one-third of the seats must be reserved for worker representatives. This gives employees a direct voice in top-level business decisions, something the UK is still missing. ### Netherlands: Flexible Working Hours The Dutch Flexible Working Act allows employees at firms with more than 10 staff to request reduced hours, a different work schedule, or even a change in working location. Employers must take these requests seriously and can only refuse them for valid business reasons. It's a model that prioritizes work-life balance and trust in employees. ### What Could This Mean for the Future? These examples show that progressive workplace policies aren't just pipe dreams, they're already working successfully in other parts of the world. As debates continue over worker rights, there's plenty of inspiration to draw from. > "The best workplace policies don't just protect employees; they empower them to do their best work." If you're an employer or employee, it's worth paying attention to these trends. They could shape the way we all work in the years to come.