WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM 41 their own operations but throughout their supply chains. • The classification and rights of gig and platform workers are changing fast. Legislation such as California’s AB 5 and the EU’s proposed platform work directive seek to clarify whether gig workers should be classified as independent contractors or employees, directly impacting their access to benefits, social protections, and collective bargaining rights. • In the United States, Cabinet member selections by the President-elect suggest immigration enforcement will be a top priority in 2025. US employers should take action now to ensure compliance with immigration regulations, and that they are prepared by worksite enforcement activity and prepared to respond to government investigations or employee complaints regarding foreign workers. Conduct an internal I-9 audit, establish protocols for meeting with government officials, review how the company conducts labor markets tests when sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residence. • While pay transparency laws may appear routine, labor relations and HR executives in the EU must understand the new requirements of the EU Pay Transparency Directive and take steps for compliance by June of 2026. The Directive will require major changes in how companies structure, communicate, and report on pay. Employers with 250+ employees also need to be mindful of changes to UK employment laws, which will require annual action plans to address gender pay disparities. • An increased emphasis on employee mental health is transforming workplace requirements. The EU has broadened workplace health and safety rules to encompass mental health, pushing employers to develop programs that address psychological safety. Australia requires companies to prioritize mental well being, reflecting the global trend toward more comprehensive health and safety obligations. Contact Janet Saura Legal and HR Executive Email: Janetmsaura@mac.com linkedin.com/in/janet-saura/ About Janet Saura Janet is a globally recognized leader in employment and labor law, known for driving high-performance teams across Legal, Human Resources, and Compliance functions in the U.S. and abroad. She formerly led Amazon’s Employee and Labor Relations team. As Amazon’s first Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations, she spearheaded the company’s approach to employee relations in North America, while also building constructive partnerships with global trade unions in Europe and abroad, fostering a thriving work environment and improving employee relations decisions based on data and analytics. Janet strategically transformed Amazon’s Employee and Labor Relations function with a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating experts from various fields to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions for 1.4 million employees and thirdparty contractors across Operations, Corporate and Consumer functions. Her focus on mission-driven talent development, proactive risk management, and early identification of challenges helped mitigate negative impacts on business performance, reputation, and employee satisfaction. In her previous roles as Deputy General Counsel at Lowe’s, Janet led Employment, Labor, Risk Management, and Compliance, where she created a profit center within the Legal Department and developed programs that minimized employment disputes and general liability lawsuits. Janet has also served as Vice President of Employment and Labor at Office Depot, and in senior legal roles at Republic Industries and Kmart, where she played a key role in labor relations and corporate restructuring. Janet holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Business Law Journal. An accomplished speaker, she regularly presents on employment law, risk management, and emerging liability theories, and is committed to mentoring minority HR and legal professionals. She has served on the boards of Masters, the Bechler Museum of Art and the Morikami Museum, and is an active member of World 50.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk3Mzkz