Gender Equality

Italy INAIL Publishes 2026 Dossier on Female Workplace Injuries and Diseases

INAIL’s 2026 Dossier Donne shows that female workers in Italy face rising occupational injuries and diseases, with particularly high exposure to commuting and road‑related accidents, workplace violence in health and care sectors, and musculoskeletal and carpal tunnel disorders across an ageing workforce. These trends do not create new legal obligations but signal where Italian prevention policy and inspections are likely to tighten, giving employers a clear evidence base to strengthen gender‑sensitive risk assessments, commuting and road‑safety measures, violence prevention, and ergonomic controls in their health and safety programmes.

16 Apr 2026, 15:53inail.itItaly

California AB 2563 Would Broaden Definition of Sex Discrimination Across State Codes

California is advancing AB 2563, a bill that would standardise and broaden how “sex discrimination” is defined and applied across numerous state codes, with the latest Assembly amendments adopted in early April 2026. If enacted, this would consolidate and expand protections for gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy-related decisions, and access to gender-affirming care, requiring employers, service providers, and public bodies to align policies and enforcement with a more expansive anti-discrimination standard.

15 Apr 2026, 18:26leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

EU Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation Toolkit Launched by EIGE and Commission

The European Commission and EIGE have launched a standardized toolkit for gender-neutral job evaluation to facilitate compliance with the EU Pay Transparency Directive. This framework establishes the authoritative benchmark for objective pay structures, enabling employers to proactively mitigate litigation risks and align with emerging social reporting requirements.

10 Apr 2026, 13:40eige.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Updates Gender Pay Gap Guidance With Voluntary Action Plans for Large Employers

The UK Government has introduced voluntary gender pay gap action plans for large employers, with mandatory requirements expected to take effect from spring 2027. Organizations should accelerate the development of formal remediation strategies to mitigate legal and reputational risks as reporting shifts from data disclosure to demonstrated progress.

10 Apr 2026, 12:37gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Sweden Calls For Renegotiation And Delay Of EU Pay Transparency Directive

Sweden is seeking to renegotiate and delay the EU Pay Transparency Directive to reduce administrative burdens ahead of the June 2026 deadline. This move signals potential disruption to harmonized implementation timelines and a broader push for simplified corporate reporting across the European Union.

29 Mar 2026, 06:23regeringen.seEuropean UnionSweden

Greece Ministry of Labour Receives Report on Transposing EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970 and Schedules Social Partner Meeting

Greece has launched final consultations to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive into national law before the June 2026 deadline. Impacted employers must prepare for mandatory pay reporting and potential structural wage adjustments to meet new gender-neutral transparency requirements.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28ypergasias.gov.grGreece

UN CEDAW Adopts Concluding Observations on Czechia's Gender Equality in Employment and Corporate Governance

UN CEDAW recommendations for Czechia call for mandatory pay-gap audits, binding gender quotas for corporate boards, and stricter labor market enforcement. Businesses should anticipate a shift toward linking gender equality compliance with operating licenses and the accelerated transposition of EU pay transparency directives.

28 Mar 2026, 09:00documents-dds-ny.un.orgCzechia

UK Parliament Introduces Personal Protective Equipment (Inclusive Standards) Bill

UK Parliament has introduced a Bill requiring public sector PPE procurement to comply with the BS 30417:2025 inclusive design standards. Suppliers should prepare for a shift toward gender-inclusive equipment requirements that may eventually influence broader safety standards and contractual obligations.

27 Mar 2026, 18:14bills.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

Norwegian Government Signals Occupational Injury Law Proposal and Updated Occupational Disease List

Norway is advancing a new occupational injury bill for mid-2026 and an updated occupational disease list to modernize compensation frameworks. Employers should anticipate expanded liability and insurance requirements as the government broadens criteria for high-strain and emergency-related roles.

27 Mar 2026, 11:57regjeringen.noNorway

Austria: Corporate Code Amendments To Implement Directive (EU) 2022/2381

Austria is moving to implement the EU Women on Boards Directive, mandating gender balance reporting for listed companies starting in mid-2026. Businesses must formalize board diversity monitoring and reporting processes now to avoid financial penalties and ensure alignment with tightening European corporate governance standards.

25 Mar 2026, 21:45parlament.gv.atAustriaEuropean Union

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1166 Would Require Break Time and Facilities for Breastfeeding Employees

Wisconsin is moving to codify federal breastfeeding protections into state law, requiring employers to provide dedicated facilities with refrigeration and running water. Companies should evaluate existing workplace infrastructure and HR policies to mitigate new state-level enforcement and litigation risks.

22 Mar 2026, 14:09docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States

Netherlands State Commission Publishes Preadvies Bundle On Future Non-Discrimination Law Reforms

The Dutch State Commission against Discrimination and Racism has proposed a fundamental modernization of the Netherlands non-discrimination legal framework. Organizations should prepare for enhanced proactive obligations concerning algorithmic transparency, workplace accessibility, and the collection of equality data to mitigate structural discrimination risks.

20 Mar 2026, 06:41zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Publishes 'Keer Op Keer' Progress Report On Cumulative And Intersectional Discrimination

The Dutch State Commission Against Discrimination and Racism released a progress report in March 2026 identifying systemic, cumulative discrimination across employment and public sectors. This signals a shift toward data-driven, intersectional policy-making that will likely increase scrutiny of corporate recruitment, workplace culture, and DEI reporting.

20 Mar 2026, 06:40zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Connecticut Senate Bill 345 (2026) Proposes Breastfeeding Breaks, Security Screening Hours and Workplace Heat Safety Task Force

Connecticut is advancing legislation to mandate breastfeeding facilities, classify security screenings as paid time, and establish a heat safety task force by late 2026. Businesses should prepare for increased operational costs and facility requirements while monitoring the task force for upcoming heat-stress regulations.

19 Mar 2026, 19:29cga.ct.govUnited States

Austria Proposes 40% Gender Quota for Supervisory Boards of Listed Companies

Austria has proposed a draft law implementing the EU Women on Boards Directive, mandating a 40% gender quota for supervisory boards of listed companies starting July 2025. Impacted firms must prepare for stricter board composition requirements and enhanced reporting obligations to avoid invalid appointments and commercial register blocks.

19 Mar 2026, 19:26parlament.gv.atAustria

Galicia (Issga) Publishes Technical Guidance on Occupational Risks in Wineries

Galicia's Issga has issued new technical guidance for occupational risk prevention in the winery sector as part of its 2027 health and safety strategy. Operators should align site safety protocols and chemical handling procedures with these regional standards to mitigate liability and ensure compliance with evolving HSE expectations.

19 Mar 2026, 10:05issga.xunta.galSpain

Global Framework on Chemicals Launches 2026 Baseline Data Collection Survey (Closes 24 April 2026)

The Global Framework on Chemicals has launched a baseline data collection survey to establish metrics for tracking international chemicals and waste management progress through April 2026. Participation allows industry leaders to shape the future indicators for global reporting, supply chain transparency, and international policy benchmarking for substances of concern.

18 Mar 2026, 16:13ee.kobotoolbox.orgGlobal

UN CEDAW Committee Issues Addendum to General Recommendation No. 30 on Women in Conflict Situations

The UN CEDAW Committee has issued new guidance on protecting women's rights across conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery phases. Organizations with operations or supply chains in high-risk regions must enhance gender-responsive human rights due diligence to meet evolving international accountability standards.

14 Mar 2026, 08:31ohchr.orgGlobal

European Parliament Publishes Roll-Call Results For 11 March 2026 Plenary Session

The European Parliament approved the extension of ePrivacy derogations and advanced key files on AI, gender equality, and the single market during its March 2026 plenary session. These votes signal a continued tightening of EU digital governance and social reporting requirements, requiring businesses to align with evolving standards for data privacy and workplace equity.

13 Mar 2026, 06:25europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament Adopts Resolution on Gender Pay and Pension Gap and Gender-Neutral Job Evaluation

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution demanding strict enforcement of the Pay Transparency Directive and the development of EU-level gender-neutral job evaluation standards. Organizations should anticipate intensified scrutiny of remuneration structures and a shift toward mandatory gender equality targets that will impact social reporting and human resources planning.

12 Mar 2026, 13:56europarl.europa.euEuropean Union