China’s labour unions push for fairer hiring practices for women
State-backed labour unions in Shenzhen, Hunan and Qinghai have mandated organisations to stop questioning female jobseekers about marriage and childbirth plans.
New Zealand eases visa rules to attract digital nomads
New Zealand eases visa rules, inviting digital nomads to work remotely for up to 90 days to boost tourism and the economy.
Singapore’s Workplace Fairness Legislation moves closer to reality
Singapore’s Workplace Fairness Bill aims to combat discrimination, protect employees, and balance business needs with equitable hiring practices.
China implements gradual retirement age increase
China’s new retirement guidelines empower employees with flexible retirement options, balancing phased age increases with protections for employees’ rights.
Tokyo proposes four-day workweek to boost birth rate
Tokyo plans a four-day workweek for civil servants with an aim to empower women, improve work-life balance, and foster societal diversity.
New Zealand to limit unjustified dismissal claims for high-paid employees
New Zealand’s upcoming policy will limit unjustified dismissal claims for employees earning over NZ$180,000, offering more contract flexibility.
Japan clamps down on debilitating overworked culture
If passed, a proposed new bill will mandate employers to ensure that their employees do not work for 14 consecutive days or more.
Employees in Singapore have more scope to report discrimination
When enacted, new legislation will create a safer environment for employees to bring up workplace grievances, without fair of unfair repercussions.
Responsible retrenchment: Acting with empathy and transparency
Treating employees with dignity and respect during layoffs is not only the right thing to do, but will serve organisations well in the future.
Why the right to disconnect law should serve as a wake-up call
Proritising employees’ wellbeing and supporting them to achieve a better work-life balance should not come about only because of legislation.
New bill to transform Singapore’s gig economy with stronger protections
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling calls the Platform Workers Bill a crucial step in strengthening protections for the gig workforce.
Singapore unveils expanded parental leave and jobseeker support scheme
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced new policies including 10 weeks of shared parental leave and financial aid for displaced employees.
Legal compliance of surveillance: What employers need to know
Linklaters’ Laure de Panafieu provides guidelines that ensure that employee rights are not violated if work place surveillance is necessary.
Firms in China face legal action for discriminatory pregnancy testing
Despite efforts to address record-low birth rates, some firms in China are avoiding hiring women of childbearing age due to pregnancy concerns.
Rising numbers of workplace bullying reported in South Korea
Nearly 40,000 cases of workplace bullying have been reported to the Ministry of Employment and Labour in the last five years.
LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace: Challenges and opportunities
To create a more inclusive workplace for all, organisations need to adopt more respectful and empathic approaches.
New legislation empowers union delegates in Australia
A new analysis of Australia’s Closing Loopholes Act asserts that bolstering union delegate rights enhances workplace collaboration and productivity.
Japan mandates flexible work options for parents
New legislations mandate flexible work options for parents, including remote work and adjusted hours to enhance support for child-rearing.
Raise wages to resolve hiring issues, urges Japanese government
A new government paper is urging small-to-medium organisations in Japan to push for wage increases to curb labour shortage.
National HR Policy Framework introduced in Malaysia
To address key workforce and HR issues, the Malaysian government has launched the National Human Resource Policy Framework.
4 megatrends with significant implications for HR
HR leaders need to identify four of the biggest megatrends affecting HR’s future so that they can upskill and keep up with the trends.
New Occupational Safety and Health Act takes effect in Malaysia
The Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022 mandates employers to appoint health safety coordinators to boost workplace safety.
More employees in New Zealand delay retirement by two years
New Zealand’s policies encouraging older employees to keep working has led to a rise in the average retirement age.
HR Tech Festival Asia 2024: Employees first for a resilient future
To thrive in 2024 and beyond, organisations must prioritise the importance of human-centric policies and initiatives.
HR Fest Awards 2024 crowns Asia’s best HR leaders and teams
The winners of HR Fest Awards 2024 were announced at a live awards ceremony during HR Tech Festival Asia 2024.
New FWA regulations in Singapore aim to foster workforce retention
New regulations ensure that flexible work requests are taken into consideration to maximise the potential and retention of its workforce.
HR Tech Festival Asia 2024: What’s happening on Day 2
The second day of HR Tech Festival Asia 2024 continues, with more experts discussing pressing HR issues within APAC and beyond.
Leading the way with Power Talk at HR Tech Festival Asia 2024
Venture to the Power Talk Stage and learn great topics and subjects from organisations in 20 minutes for two days at the festival.
The Philippines clarifies employee rights during heatwaves
Employees are entitled to prioritise personal safety in extreme heat, justifying abstention from work, but without regular pay entitlement.
South Korea sees surge in workplace abuse reports
Verbal abuse accounted for 32.8% of workplace harassment incidents in South Korea, while HR-related improprieties accounted for 13.8%.