The Workplace Rights Other Countries Have That the U.S. Still Lacks

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

### Why the U.S. Is Falling Behind on Worker Protections You might think the United States leads the world in workplace rights. But honestly? We're lagging behind in some surprising ways. While countries across Europe, Latin America, and Canada have enacted bold laws to protect employees, many U.S. workers still lack basic protections that seem like common sense elsewhere. Let's look at ten workplace rights that other countries already enjoy—and that could reshape how we think about work here in America. ### The Right to Disconnect: France Shows the Way Back in 2017, France passed a law giving employees the legal right to ignore work emails and calls after hours. 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 all have similar rules. Australia's version, which took effect in August 2024, even bars employers from punishing workers who don't answer calls or emails outside their scheduled hours. Meanwhile, in the U.S., most of us are expected to be reachable 24/7. The only federal protection is the 40-hour workweek under the Fair Labor Standards Act, but that doesn't cover after-hours communication. ### A 13th Month Salary: Brazil's Economic Booster Since the 1960s, Brazil has guaranteed every formal employee an extra month's pay each year—split into two mandatory installments. This isn't a bonus; it's a legal wage designed to boost the economy and help workers cover holiday expenses. Even employees who are dismissed get it on a pro-rata basis. Similar policies exist across most of Latin America and parts of Europe, including Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In the U.S., there's no equivalent. Some companies offer holiday bonuses, but they're discretionary, not guaranteed. ### Paid Menstrual Leave: Spain's Progressive Step 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. It's a hot topic in parliaments worldwide, but no such law exists in the U.S. yet. ### Commute Reimbursement: France Makes It Mandatory French employers must reimburse at least 50% of employees' public transport season tickets for their home-to-work commute. This covers everyone—full-timers, part-timers, even trainees. In America, commuting costs are almost entirely on the worker. Some cities offer transit benefits, but there's no federal requirement. ### No Interview Ghosting: Canada's Anti-Ghosting Law In Ontario, Canada, employers with over 25 employees must notify candidates within 45 days of an interview whether they got the job. Failure to respond can lead to fines up to CA$100,000 (around $74,000 USD). The U.S. has no such law—ghosting candidates is still perfectly legal. ### Board-Level Representation: Germany's Co-Determination Model Germany's Mitbestimmungsgesetz requires companies with over 2,000 employees to give workers half the seats on their supervisory board. Firms with 500–2,000 employees must reserve one-third of seats for workers. This ensures employees have a real voice in top-level decisions. In the U.S., worker representation on corporate boards is rare, though some companies voluntarily include it. ### Flexible Hours: The Netherlands Leads The Dutch Flexible Working Act lets employees at companies with more than 10 staff request reduced hours, different schedules, or remote work. Employers must seriously consider these requests and can only refuse for compelling business reasons. American workers often have to negotiate these arrangements individually, with no legal backing. ### What These Rights Mean for U.S. Workers Looking at this list, it's clear that many countries prioritize worker well-being in ways the U.S. doesn't. While some American companies offer similar benefits voluntarily, there's no federal mandate. The conversation around workplace rights is growing, especially as remote work and flexible schedules become more common. ### Key Takeaways - **Right to disconnect** laws are spreading globally, protecting work-life balance. - **Guaranteed extra pay** like Brazil's 13th month salary offers financial security. - **Commute reimbursement** and **anti-ghosting laws** show how governments can support workers. - **Board representation** gives employees a direct voice in corporate strategy. These aren't just nice-to-haves—they're proven policies that boost morale, productivity, and economic stability. As the U.S. debates its own labor reforms, looking at what works elsewhere could inspire meaningful change.