In this article we list the top ten labour law issues employers operating in Europe need to understand in order to avoid employment disputes, litigation and disruption to their businesses.

The European Union (EU) currently consists of twenty-seven member states with a combined population of over 500 million. As the EU has grown in size so has its remit (jurisdiction) over member states’ affairs. Employment matters are now one of the key areas of involvement in the EU. In practice, this means that across the EU employees benefit from a number of similar employment law protections, as a matter of law, custom or practice. However, there are also individual member state requirements which give rise to significant differences. The ten issues we highlight below illustrate both the similarities and differences.