International: The complete list
Our popular International tool provides key information of a country's employment law across the entire employment lifecycle from recruitment to termination of employment. Across our other tools, we have useful guidance that can assist global employers with their HR policies, procedures and practices, and UK employers with an international workforce.
Focus of 2025: New country guides and legislative changes
We have expanded our collection of over 40 employment law guides for HR professionals managing staff outside the UK by introducing two new country guides: Portugal and Malaysia. A complete guide for South Korea will also be available soon. Each guide is authored by leading law firms, offering clear insights into national employment laws, and is reviewed and updated monthly. Additionally, we have added a new Global annual leave (holidays) and pay comparative table, summarising statutory requirements in 45 countries.
Rocio Carracedo Lopez and Ronelle Barreto, Brightmine
Commentary and insights
- Conversation starter - innovative workplace laws around the world
- Demystifying the EU Pay Transparency Directive for UK employers
- Did you know? Employment law in Malaysia
- Did you know? Employment law in Portugal
- Did you know? Employment law in South Korea
- Employers of record (EORs) - meaning, purpose and benefits
- Employing overseas workers: 15 commonly asked questions
- Global legislative changes to look out for in 2025
- Hiring across borders: Five compliance challenges and how to solve them
- How will the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages affect global employers in 2024?
- Managing a global workforce: Top tips for staying compliant
- Mind the gap: How are countries implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive?
- Paternity leave and pay: How does the UK measure up to the rest of the world?
- Revolutionising AI rules for global employers
- Retirement and the pensionable age: What does the global employer need to know?
- Right to disconnect: What can the UK learn from other countries?
- Statutory annual leave entitlement - a global view
- UK vs US: Who comes out on top for employee rights?
- Where's my bonus? A multi-country perspective
Comparative tables
- EU pay transparency directive implementation comparative table
- Global annual leave (holidays) and pay comparative table
- Global gender pay gap reporting comparative table
- Global gender pay gap audits comparative table
- Global maternity leave and pay comparative table
- Global minimum wage rates comparative table
- Global paternity and parental leave and pay comparative table
- Global retirement and pensionable age comparative table
- Global temporary workers comparative table
Contract clauses and policies
- Secondment agreement (international assignment)
- International assignments policy
- Global anti-harassment and anti-bullying policy
- Global flexible working policy
FAQs
- What is an employer of record?
- Can UK national employees travel to the EEA for business purposes?
- Can foreign nationals travel to the UK for business purposes?
- What are the key considerations for an employer before it sends an employee on an international assignment?
- What options do employers have for dealing with currency fluctuation affecting the compensation of employees on international assignments?
- What should employers consider when producing a crisis management policy for employees on international assignments, eg to respond to a natural disaster or terrorist attack?
- What should an employer do if an employee is due to go abroad on a work assignment to an area that becomes affected by political violence or rioting?
- What is a frontier work permit?
- When does an employer need a sponsor licence?
- How does an employer apply for a sponsor licence?
- Does an employer need a sponsor licence to employ EEA nationals who have settled or pre-settled status?
Global guide for employers
"How to" guides
- How to manage international assignments
- How to employ international students
- How to deal with an employee who no longer has the right to work in the UK
- How to apply for a sponsor licence
- How to retain a sponsor licence
International guides
Africa
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Central, North and South America
Europe
Leading practice guides
Devising a reward package for international assignments:
- Determining an approach
- The relocation package
- Benefits and allowances on assignment
- Payroll and taxation
- Ensuring the offering is competitive and cost-effective
Preparing for and managing international assignments:
- The purpose and benefits of international assignments
- Selecting the assignee
- Communication before and during an assignment
- Performance reviews and disciplinary issues
- Practical and financial support
- Supporting the assignee and their family integrate abroad
- Managing the assignee's return
Letters and forms
- Recommended documentation for sponsored migrants checklist
- Skilled worker sponsor compliance and audit preparation checklist
Podcasts and webinars
- EU Pay Transparency Directive - what is it and what does it mean for employers in the UK?
- Gender pay gap reporting - a global view
- Pay transparency - prepare for change
- Global hiring - AI, EORs and worker misclassification risks
- Employment law "bonfire" - How the EU Bill might affect HR
- Immigration rules for employers - recent changes, future challenges
Quick reference
Surveys
- Global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) 2023
- Global learning and development 2024
- Global research study: Pay equity and transparency
- Pay transparency research 2025
- Wellbeing survey report
