Conference programme

Global companies face increasing pressure to design outsourcing models that are efficient, legally compliant and sustainable. This session explores how international service structures can be strategically developed and integrated into existing business operations while navigating complex labour, regulatory and ethical requirements. Key issues include:

•    labour and employment law risks in international outsourcing (eg, co-employment, transfer of undertakings, worker leasing rules and local employment regulations);
•    compliance considerations such as data protection, works council involvement, information and consultation duties and whistleblower requirements;
•    economic opportunities and limits of cross-border services, including growing political and regulatory anti-offshoring measures in various jurisdictions;
•    governance and practical implementation, focusing on contractual safeguards, oversight mechanisms and effective monitoring structures;
•    cross-border employment classification risks; and
•    data protection and employee-related privacy requirements across jurisdictions.

This session offers a practical overview of key developments, legal pitfalls and strategic considerations for building future-proof global outsourcing models.
 

Trade unions have played a defining role in Polish history, but globally many are facing declining membership and struggling to adapt to rapid changes in the labour market. While some jurisdictions maintain strong union traditions, others see unions losing influence despite increasingly sophisticated statutory protections.

This session explores why these differences exist and what drives the overall drop in union membership. Are unions adapting quickly enough to challenges such as AI, hybrid work reducing physical presence and organisational opportunities, shifting workforce identities, diversity considerations and the expectations of younger generations? How does the tension between collective agreements and the growing focus on individualised solutions impact their relevance?

We will examine how multinational employers can navigate diverse systems of industrial relations across borders, and whether the traditional union role remains crucial – or how it must evolve – to stay relevant in a fragmented and digitally transforming world. Furthermore, the session questions whether the traditional union role is still crucial and explores unions’ future significance.
 

Many companies are committed to advancing the employment of equity-seeking groups and understanding workplace diversity. They monitor diversity metrics internally and increasingly expect their suppliers to collect and share similar data, aiming for a comprehensive approach to inclusion across the supply chain. However, achieving this goal on a global scale brings significant challenges.

Organisations must contend with a complex landscape of privacy laws that differ widely from country to country, including strict restrictions on collecting and processing sensitive personal data. In some jurisdictions, even asking questions about race, ethnicity or other protected characteristics can be prohibited or culturally sensitive, making data collection difficult or even impossible. Employers also face cultural differences in how diversity and equity are understood or prioritised, which can affect both the willingness of individuals to disclose information and the effectiveness of global diversity initiatives.

Legal frameworks and reporting requirements may conflict or lack harmonisation, leading to uncertainty and potential liability when operating across borders. As a result, employers and their legal advisors must navigate challenges such as ensuring legal compliance, building employee trust, maintaining data accuracy and adapting their strategies to respect local expectations. This session will discuss international best practices, risk mitigation strategies and how to strike the right balance between promoting diversity and complying with privacy and cultural norms worldwide.
 

What do general counsel and HR leaders really look for when hiring external counsel? This session reveals client expectations, how legal tech is reshaping service delivery and what law firms must do to stay relevant.