Singapore, Australia and the US are taking distinct approaches to immigration policies, each with significant implications for employers. Singapore is balancing the attraction of highly skilled foreign talent with the need to prioritize local workers, potentially through stricter regulatory measures. In contrast, Australia’s new visa program has expanded opportunities for foreign talent by allowing more
‘Tis the Season! Here’s your Global Equity Award Filing Chart (2024 – 2025)
Here’s your go-to guide for annual filing and reporting requirements for global employee share plans.
It is almost the end of the calendar year and time for multinational companies to consider the necessary tax and regulatory filings for global share plans triggered by the close of 2024 (or by the end of a local
The Global Employer: Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update | December 2024
We are pleased to share with you The Global Employer – Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update, a collection of key updates from Australia, Italy, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Click here to view.
HR Trend Watch: Maintaining compliance while unlocking the talent rewards of flexible work arrangements
We are clearly (and thankfully) well past the pandemic, and yet demands for flexible and remote work press on. While the overall global trend of transforming the traditional 9-to-5 work model is consistent, laws governing flexible work arrangements can vary significantly by jurisdiction.
We monitor this space closely (see our previous update here) and advise multinational companies on a multitude of issues bearing on remote, hybrid and flexible arrangements, including health & safety rules, working time regulations, tax and employment benefit issues, cybersecurity and data privacy protections, workforce productivity monitoring and more.
Key recent updates around the globe (organized by region) include:
Asia Pacific
- Australia: Right to disconnect – Working 9 to [to be determined…]?
In August 2024, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission finalized the new “right to disconnect” model term, which will soon be inserted into all modern awards. Whilst we wait for the Fair Work Commission to issue its guidance on the new workplace right, here’s what you should know, and what we think you should do to prepare for the introduction of the right to disconnect
Now available – The Global Employer: Focus on Global Immigration & Mobility Handbook 2024
- An overview of key global immigration and mobility issues to consider related to immigration, employment, compensation and employee benefits, income taxes and social insurance, and global
Cultivating a Healthy Workforce Strategy: Global Employment Law Updates, Trends and Tips Webinar Series
We’re bringing the world to you. Join Baker McKenzie for our annual Global Employment Law webinar series.
In the face of intensifying geopolitical risk and continuing economic uncertainty, the challenges for global employers to plan carefully and operate strategically to maintain a thriving workforce is greater than ever. We’ll help employers navigate those challenges in
A Cautionary Tale: US Estate Tax May be Due on Equity Awards/Shares Held by Non-US Residents
Special thanks to co-authors Glenn Fox and Paul DePasquale.
One of the biggest sleeper issues (in my opinion) for US companies when granting equity awards to non-US employees or other service providers is the fact that their heirs may be assessed with US estate tax and be required to file an estate tax return in the US if the individual dies while holding equity awards or shares.
US Estate Tax Exemptions
Individual US taxpayers (i.e., US citizens and non-US citizens who are domiciled in the US) can currently benefit from a significant estate tax exemption: no estate tax is due unless the value of the estate exceeds US$13,610,000 (this is the inflation-adjusted amount for 2024), reduced for taxable lifetime gifts, but doubled for married couples if both spouses’ estates qualify for the exemption. Accordingly, relatively few US estates currently are subject to estate tax. In any event, US employees and their heirs will most likely be well aware of possible estate tax consequences for their assets, including equity awards and shares acquired under a company share plan.Continue Reading A Cautionary Tale: US Estate Tax May be Due on Equity Awards/Shares Held by Non-US Residents
The Global Employer: Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update | December 2023
We are pleased to share with you The Global Employer – Global Immigration & Mobility Quarterly Update, a collection of key updates from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
Click here to view.
Global Employment Law Fastpass | Listen in to our Asia Pacific update
With special thanks to presenters Michael Michalandos (Australia), Jonathan Isaacs (China), Kenneth Chua (Philippines) and Celeste Ang (Singapore).
Our four-part Global Employment Law Fastpass for US Multinationals 2023 Webinar Series features US moderators welcoming Baker McKenzie colleagues from around the globe as they share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends.
In this
Global Employment Law Fastpass for US Multinationals (Webinar Series)
Join us for a four-part webinar series as our US moderators welcome colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends. US-based multinational employers with business operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas regions will hear directly from local practitioners on the