The Workplace Perks Other Countries Have (and the U.S. Doesn't)

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 disappears, and over the next couple of years, we'll see the most significant shake-up of British workplace law in decades. Job security gets a boost, family rights expand, and workers across the country gain more protections. But here's the thing: even with these changes, the UK—and honestly, much of the world—still lags behind in some surprising areas. While we pat ourselves on the back for progressive labor laws, other countries have quietly implemented workplace rights that sound almost futuristic. Let's look at ten of them and see what we might be missing. ### France's Right to Disconnect France made headlines back in 2017 when it legally gave employees the right to 'disconnect' from work communications outside office hours. Companies with 50 or more staff are required to negotiate specific times when they can't ping you with emails or calls. And they're not alone—Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal all have similar rules. Australia's version, which kicked in August 2024, goes even further: employers can't punish workers for ignoring after-hours messages. The UK? We just have the 48-hour average working week under the Working Time Regulations. That's it. ### Brazil's 13th Month Salary Brazil's been paying a mandatory 13th month salary since the 1960s. It's a constitutional right, not a bonus. Employers must pay every formal employee an extra month's wage each year, split into two required installments. The idea? Boost the economy, help with holiday expenses, and keep folks comfortable through the festive season. It's even owed pro-rata if you get fired. Other countries—most of Latin America, plus Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain—have similar policies. The UK has nothing even close. ### Spain's Paid Menstrual Leave In 2023, Spain became the first European country to introduce paid menstrual leave. Workers with medically certified incapacitating periods get time off, and the state funds it from day one. It's a hot topic in the UK parliament, but so far, no such provision exists here. ### France's Commute Reimbursement French employers must reimburse at least 50% of public transport season ticket costs for the home-to-work commute. That covers everyone—part-timers, trainees, you name it. In the UK, no employer is legally required to subsidize commuting at all. So yeah, France is putting us to shame on this one. ### Canada's Anti-Ghosting Law 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 or not. Fail to respond, and you could face fines up to CA$100,000 (roughly $73,000 USD). The UK has no comparable law. ### Germany's Board-Level Worker Representation Germany's Mitbestimmungsgesetz requires large companies—those with over 2,000 employees—to give workers half the seats on their supervisory board. Companies with 500 to 2,000 employees must reserve one-third of the seats. That means the workforce has a real voice in top-level business decisions. The UK? Nothing comparable yet. ### The Netherlands' Flexible Working Act The Dutch Flexible Working Act lets employees at firms with more than 10 staff request reduced hours, a different work schedule, or even a different workplace. And here's the kicker: employers can't just say no without a solid reason. It's flexibility with real teeth. ### What This Means for U.S. Workers You might be thinking, "This is all about the UK and Europe—what about the U.S.?" Well, the U.S. doesn't have federal laws for most of these either. No right to disconnect, no mandatory 13th month salary, no paid menstrual leave, no commute reimbursement, no anti-ghosting law, and no board-level worker representation. The U.S. does have the Fair Labor Standards Act for overtime and minimum wage, but that's about it. Some states are starting to experiment. California has its own sick leave laws, and a few cities have predictive scheduling rules. But on the whole, the U.S. workforce is still waiting for these kinds of protections. ### Why These Rights Matter These aren't just nice-to-haves. They're about basic dignity and work-life balance. When you can't disconnect, you burn out. When you can't take paid leave for a medical condition, you suffer in silence. When you get ghosted after an interview, you lose time and money. Countries like France, Brazil, and Germany have figured out that treating workers well isn't just ethical—it's good for business. Happier employees are more productive, more loyal, and less likely to quit. ### The Bottom Line We're making progress, sure. The 2025 Employment Rights Act is a step forward. But there's still a long way to go. As these examples show, other countries have already figured out how to protect workers in ways we haven't even started to consider. Maybe it's time we took a page from their book. What do you think? Should the U.S. adopt any of these rights? Let us know in the comments.