7 Workplace Rights the US Still Doesn't Have

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-28

The UK's 2025 Employment Rights Act is rolling out in phases through 2027, and it's a big deal. It kicked off in April with the removal of the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, marking the most significant overhaul of British workplace law in decades. The changes promise to boost job security and expand family rights across the country. But here's the thing: even with these updates, the UK—and the US, for that matter—still lag behind many other nations when it comes to certain worker protections. You might think we're leaders in labor rights, but the truth is, other countries have already figured out how to give employees a better deal. Let's look at seven workplace rights that exist elsewhere but are missing from our shores. ### The Right to Disconnect (France, Australia, and More) France made headlines in 2017 when it gave employees the legal right to "disconnect" from work communications after hours. Companies with 50 or more staff are required to negotiate specific times when they can't contact workers electronically. And they're not alone—Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have similar laws. Australia's version, which took effect in August 2024, even bars employers from punishing workers who don't answer calls or emails outside work hours. In the US, we have no such federal right, and the 40-hour workweek often stretches into evenings and weekends without any legal boundaries. ### A Statutory 13th Month Salary (Brazil) Brazil has guaranteed a "décimo terceiro salário" since the 1960s. This constitutional right requires employers to 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 workers cover end-of-year expenses. This isn't a discretionary bonus—it's a legal wage, owed pro-rata even if you're fired. Similar policies are mandatory across most of Latin America and parts of Europe, including Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In the US, there's nothing comparable; holiday bonuses are rare and entirely at the employer's whim. ### Paid Menstrual Leave (Spain) In 2023, Spain became the first European country to introduce menstrual leave. Workers with medically certified incapacitating periods get paid time off, funded by the state from day one. This acknowledges that for some women, periods can be genuinely debilitating. The US has no such provision, and it's still a controversial topic here, but Spain's move shows it's possible to support workers' health needs without destroying productivity. ### Mandatory Commute Reimbursement (France) No US employer is legally required to subsidize your commute. France, on the other hand, mandates that employers reimburse at least 50% of the cost of public transport season tickets for home-to-work travel. This covers all staff, including part-timers and trainees. Given that the average American commute is about 27 minutes each way—and much longer in major cities—this would be a welcome relief for many workers. ### No Interview Ghosting (Canada) 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 an interview whether they got the job. Employers who fail to respond can face fines up to CA$100,000 (about $73,000 USD). In the US, candidates often wait weeks or months for a response—or never hear back at all. This law would be a game-changer for job seekers. ### Board-Level Employee Representation (Germany) Germany's Mitbestimmungsgesetz requires large 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 ensures the workforce has a direct voice in top-level decisions. In the US, workers rarely have any say in corporate governance, and the idea of codetermination is often dismissed as socialist. But Germany's model has been credited with fostering more stable labor relations and better long-term decision-making. ### The Right to Request Reduced Hours (Netherlands) The Dutch Flexible Working Act allows employees at companies with more than 10 staff to request fewer hours, a different work schedule, or even a different location. Employers must seriously consider these requests, and if they refuse, they must explain why. This flexibility helps workers balance caregiving, education, or side projects. In the US, working reduced hours is often seen as a career killer, and there's no legal right to request it. ### What This Means for US Workers The US prides itself on being a land of opportunity, but when it comes to worker protections, we're often behind the curve. While some of these policies might seem radical, they're already working in other countries. They show that it's possible to protect workers' health, dignity, and work-life balance without harming the economy. As the UK rolls out its new Employment Rights Act, it's worth asking: what can we learn from these examples? And more importantly, what will it take to bring some of these rights home?