Evelien Jamaels helps clients meet the challenges of the modern workplace. She advises both national and international companies from a broad range of sectors on all stages of the employment process, from hiring to termination (whether individual or collective). She assists clients with their complex employment issues, including, for example, restructurings, company closures, trade secret protection, diversity in the workplace, discrimination, whistleblowing, termination of employment agreements, drafting and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and audits/due diligence.
Evelien also has gained particular experience in international employment and global mobility projects. She deals with cross-border labor law issues and helps international businesses wishing to set up an establishment in Europe with their labor and employment and Social Security needs. She provides assistance related to work permits and professional cards, visas, residence permits, and LIMOSA, and she helps clients comply with EU and international employment, Social Security, and tax regulations and practices, including multiple employment schemes and secondments.
Evelien coaches law students of the Free University of Brussels and is a member of the school’s Social Law Department. She also teaches as a visiting professor at the regional training institute PIVO (Provinciaal Instituut voor Vorming en Opleiding van de provincie Vlaams-Brabant).
Evelien is a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group and Global Mobility Group. She is heavily involved with Crowell’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and co-founded Crowell Café, a series of informal events to support women at the firm and in the industry.
Recognition
Law.com International: Europe’s 25 Best Up-and-Coming Female Lawyers, 2022
Representative Matters
- Assisted several multinational companies in the restructuring of their Belgian businesses, including transfers of undertakings, business outsourcing, collective dismissals, and closures of undertakings.
- Advised a client in the retail sector on a restructuring and assisted the client with the transfer of an undertaking and the HR integration of the transferred workers (including benefit alignment).
- Advised a client in the pharma industry regarding the termination of employment of a protected worker in the context of sexual harassment.
- Advised a client from the e-commerce sector on its entry strategy into the Belgian market from an employment law perspective.
- Defended a software company before the Brussels Labour Court with respect to a claim filed by a former employee whose contract was terminated for cause.
- Defended a company before the Brussels Labour Court with respect to a claim filed by a former employee for alleged discrimination.
- Assisted a company in the pharma/chemical industry with a sensitive matter in relation to a long-term absent employee (burnout).
- Advised clients on social elections.
- Assisted clients in the fashion, retail, and construction industries on the occasion of social inspection visits.
- Handled single and work permit applications for clients’ non-European Economic Area employees (advice regarding the type of single or work permit to be applied for, preparation of applications in collaboration with the employees, filing of the applications with the competent authorities on behalf of the clients, advising on employees’ visa applications and/or residency permit applications).
- Applied for professional cards on behalf of self-employed persons (non-EEA citizens).
- Provided a client in the technology industry with cross-border advice on equal pay.
- Advised a client from the biotech sector on how best to expand its personnel base in line with its growth strategy.
- Advised a major manufacturer of bathroom and sanitary ware in a multijurisdictional dispute in Belgium and the United Kingdom concerning noncompete obligations after the termination of a professional relationship.
- Advised and assisted a client from the construction sector following a fatal work accident at a plant.
- Provided day-to-day advice to several Belgian and multinational companies regarding a wide range of issues (drafting all types of employment and related agreements, termination issues, enforcement of noncompete undertakings, introduction of new work time schemes).
- Provided advice to several clients in the context of the post-COVID-19 working place (e.g., on remote working).
- Advised clients in the telecom and nonprofit sectors regarding compliance with whistleblowing legislation.
Speeches & Presentations
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"Get Up to Speed with the New Belgian Labor & Employment Laws," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022.
(December 15, 2022).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Gloria Saïdi.
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"The EU Whistleblower Directive - Follow Up," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022.
(June 23, 2022).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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“GDPR voor HR in Lokale Besturen: Principes en Evoluties,” Vanden Broele Webinar
(March 29, 2022).
Speakers: Evelien Jamaels, Peter Berghmans, and Frankie Schram.
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"Discrimination in the workplace 2022," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2022.
(February 8, 2022).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Collective Dismissal: The Current Rules and Upcoming Changes," Webinar in Collaboration with IJE/IBJ
(May 10, 2021).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Stefanie Tack.
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“Collective Dismissal: A Practical Overview of the Current Situation and Upcoming Changes,” Webinar AmCham Belgium (Tax & Legal Committee), Brussels, Belgium.
(April 23, 2021).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack
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"Collective Dismissal: A Practical Overview of the Current Situation and Upcoming Changes," Webinar AmCham Belgium (Human Capital and Talent Committee), Brussels, Belgium
(January 21, 2021).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Stefanie Tack.
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"Reasons for Termination of Employment: Questions and Answers," Webinar Flemish Bar (Vlaams Pleitgenootschap), Brussels, Belgium
(January 19, 2021).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Temps de travail – La flexibilité est la nouvelle norme," Webinar NCOI Learning, Brussels, Belgium
(October 15, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Adrien Moureaux.
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"Arbeidstijd – Flexibel is het nieuwe normaal," Webinar NCOI Learning, Brussels, Belgium
(October 13, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"COVID-19 and its HR Impact: Social and fiscal support measures and/or restructuring?” Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Mythra Advocaten and FINN, Brussels, Belgium
(September 10, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
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"Looking Ahead: Updates for Global Employers on the Impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Employee Mobility," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(August 20, 2020).
Presenters: Nicole Janigian Simonian, Stefanie Atchinson, Evelien Jamaels, and Jackson C. Pai.
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"What After the Lockdown," Webinar in collaboration with IJE/IBJ, Brussels, Belgium
(April 30, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
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"Preparing for Employees to Return to the Workplace: Strategies for Global Employers During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 29, 2020).
Presenters: Kris D. Meade, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Nicole Janigian Simonian, Evelien Jamaels, and Jackson C. Pai.
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"Covid-19 en de heropstart na de lockdown," Webinar in collaboration with Robert Half, Brussels, Belgium
(April 28, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
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"Arbeidsrecht in tijden van het coronavirus," Vlaams Pleitgenootschap – Permanente Vorming, Brussels, Belgium
(April 14, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
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"Are you well prepared for a visit from Social Inspection?" IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium
(March 12, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Trade Secrets and Whistle Blowers," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium
(December 5, 2019).
Speakers: Jan-Diederik Lindemans, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Gunther Meyer, Judith Bussé, and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Pre-retirement anno 2018," Kluwer Pension Conference 2018, Brussels, Belgium
(February 6, 2018).
Presenter: Evelien Jamaels.
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"HR Implications of the Summer Agreement," Crowell & Moring and VBO-FEB Seminar, Brussels, Belgium
(December 15, 2017).
Presenter: Evelien Jamaels.
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"Employment Law Aspects of Subcontracting (Posting of Workers, Liability, Well-Being at Work)," Webinar for Kluwer
(October 20, 2016).
Speakers: Evelien Jamaels and Alex Franchimont.
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"Motivation of Termination: Update and Analysis First Case Law," Webinar for M&D Seminars
(August 18, 2016 and September 30, 2016).
Speaker: Evelien Jamaels.
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“Pre-retirement anno 2016,” Kluwer Pension Conference 2016, Brussels, Belgium
(January 26, 2016).
Presenters: Evelien Jamaels and Alex Franchimont.
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“Protected workers”, Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium
(December 10, 2015).
Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Protected Employees," Kluwer Publishers Webinar
(September 15-17, 2015).
Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Preparing the 2016 Social Elections Strategy and Pitfalls," Crowell & Moring Seminar, Brussels, Belgium
(May 28, 2015).
Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
Publications
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"International Issues in Trade Secret Law Series: Longer Statute of Limitations Confirmed in Cases of Trade Secret Misappropriation by Former Employees," Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
(April 7, 2022).
Authors: Evelien Jamaels and Matteo Mariano.
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"La motivation du licenciement en 109 questions & réponses," Etudes Pratiques de Droit Social, Wolters Kluwer
(December 31, 2021).
Co-Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Zorgt corona voor een – tijdelijke – ommekeer in het collectief ontslagrecht? De impact van de COVID-19-pandemie op het collectief ontslagrecht in België?" Liber Amicorum Wilfried Rauws – Werk opgedragen aan een onvolprezen jurist, Intersentia
(2021).
Authors: Evelien Jamaels and Stefanie Tack.
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"Employees may come and go. But will your trade secrets follow them?" Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
(April 1, 2021).
Author: Evelien Jamaels.
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"Ontslagmotivering in 109 vragen & antwoorden," Sociale Praktijk Studies Series, Wolters Kluwer
(October 29, 2020).
Co-Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Employment & Labour Law: Belgium," Global Legal Insights to: Employment & Labour Law, Seventh Edition
(2019).
Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Stephanie Michiels.
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"Belgium Employment 2018," Chambers Law and Practice
(March 7, 2018).
Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, and Alex Franchimont.
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"Doing Business 2018: Reforming to Create Jobs," World Bank Group
(October 31, 2017).
Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, Alex Franchimont.
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"Belgium Labour & Employment," Getting the Deal Through 2018
(May 22, 2017).
Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, Alex Franchimont.
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"Pre-Retirement Anno 2016," RABG 2016/13, 1007
(2016).
Authors: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Evelien Jamaels.
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"Hervorming berekening sociale bijdragen zelfstandigen vanaf 2015" [Reform calculation social security contributions self-employed as of 2015], Rechtspraak Antwerpen Brussel Gent 2014/3, p. 200
(2014).
Co-author Evelien Jamaels.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"New Belgian Labor and Employment Laws on Work-Life Balance and Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions in Force as of Today,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - UK
(November 10, 2022).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels, Gloria Saïdi
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"The New Belgian Labor Deal,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(February 18, 2022).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels
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"Need to Hire a High-Profile Non-European Worker for your Business in Belgium/Europe? What are your Current Options?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(February 10, 2022).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels
-
"Belgian Social Partners Reach Agreement on Four Key Social Topics,"
(June 16, 2021).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Will the Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports Reestablish Global Employee Mobility?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(March 19, 2021).
Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Nicole Janigian Simonian, Zhongdong Zhang, Yi Huang, Jackson C. Pai
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"The Vaccination Campaign in Belgium Is Slowly Getting Underway. What Does This Mean for Employers? Four Questions and Answers.,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(February 25, 2021).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"New Ad-Hoc Belgian Framework for Telework during COVID-19 Pandemic,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(January 29, 2021).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"Global Mobility in the Post-Brexit World: What Will 2021 Bring for Employers in Europe?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(January 4, 2021).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Remote Working Abroad: 10 Tips for Global Employers,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(November 30, 2020).
Contacts: Nicole Janigian Simonian, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Maarten Stassen, S. Starling Marshall, Robert Clifton Burns, Evelien Jamaels, Jackson C. Pai, Yi Huang
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"COVID-19 Temporary Unemployment Scheme in Belgium Applicable from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 (With Extension Possible),"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(November 12, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Restructuring: New Recommendations from the National Labor Council – Will They Lead to More Legal Certainty and a Simplification of the Process?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(November 9, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Belgian "Work from Home" Legislative Patchwork Now More Complex Following Supreme Court Decision,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(October 30, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"How to Determine the Best Work from Home Strategy for Your Company with Belgium Back in COVID-19 Mandatory Telework Mode?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(October 22, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Brexit and its Implications for Global Mobility: Where Are We Now?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - UK
(September 8, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Nicole Janigian Simonian, Stefanie Atchinson, Jackson C. Pai
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"How Do You Calculate Severance Indemnity if an Employee Is Dismissed During a Temporary Period of Reduced Working Hours?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(August 17, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"Need to Hire a High-Profile Non-European Worker for your Business in Belgium/Europe?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(August 10, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"COVID-19: The Latest HR Developments in Belgium,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(May 26, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"HR-Related Coronavirus Q&A: Our Answers to Your Questions,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(Updated April 21, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"Online COVID-19 Virtual Assistant – Stay informed about Government Regulations Affecting Businesses in Belgium,"
(Mar.30.2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel
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"New Uber Ruling by French Supreme Court: A Game Changer for the Gig Economy and Platform Workers?,"
(March 6, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Post Brexit - Which Laws Cover International Employment?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(March 3, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Belgian Single Work Permits: Finally Some Good News?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(February 20, 2020).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels
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"Restructurings: A Rejuvenation Cure for the Renault Act?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(January 14, 2020).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"European Court of Human Rights Confirms the Proportionality Test for Use of Hidden Cameras on the Work Floor,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(December 3, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, Delphine Keppens
-
"2020 Social Elections Countdown: Strategically Important Dates To Bear in Mind,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(November 7, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"EU Adopts Directive Setting New Rights for Workers Towards More Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(July 26, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"The Belgian Constitutional Court Confirms: Individual Agreements on the Notice Period Entered into Before the Uniform Status Act (2014) Should Be Applied to 'Higher' White Collar Workers,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(June 14, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"How Should Your Company Plan for the 2020 Social Elections?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(April 24, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Brexit - U.K. Nationals Working in Belgium: Status after March 29, 2019,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(February 6, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Single Permit in Belgium: Plan Your Non-EEA Hiring and Postings Well in Advance,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(January 7, 2019).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
-
"Unreasonable Termination - Belgian Supreme Court Confirms: No Employee Fault Required,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(December 5, 2018).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Shares Allocated by Foreign Parent Company No Longer Exempted from Social Security Contributions?,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(October 23, 2018).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Evelien Jamaels
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"Posting of Workers – EU Court of Justice Recalls that EU Law Prevails on Member States Regulations Aiming to Combat Social Fraud,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(July 23, 2018).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"EU Posted Workers Directive Revised,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(July 13, 2018).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Single Permit in Belgium – Almost There!,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(May 29, 2018).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
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"Council of the European Union Reaches Agreement Regarding EU Employees Temporarily Posted to Another EU Member State,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - Europe
(November 7, 2017).
Contacts: Evelien Jamaels, Emmanuel Plasschaert
Press Coverage
Firm News & Announcements