Employment Law Evolution Takes Center Stage in Gurugram as Global Experts Discuss Key Workforce Challenges and Solutions

NEW DELHI: Employment law experts and HRD leaders from around the world converged at the Hotel Grand Hyatt in Gururgram next to New Delhi on on October 4 for an international conference titled “The Changing Face of Employment Law – Local and International Agendas.” Organized by renowned law firm Kochhar & Co. under the auspices of Ius Laboris, a leading global alliance of employment law firms, the event brought together distinguished speakers and industry leaders to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in workforce management across different regions.

This collaborative effort aimed to equip employers with the latest insights into navigating the complexities of modern workplaces, both locally and globally.

The conference opened with an introduction from Rohit Kochhar, Founder & Managing Partner of Kochhar & Co., India, and Sam Everatt, Executive Director of Ius Laboris, Belgium. Their speeches set the tone for the day, emphasizing the increasing significance of adapting to the rapidly shifting employment regulations worldwide.

The first session, titled “Doing Business in Europe,” featured discussions moderated by Tarun Tawakley, Partner at Lewis Silkin, UK, and included speakers such as Valeria Morisini from Italy, Dušan Nitschneider from Slovakia, Burkard Göpfert from Germany, and Priyanka Sinha from Vodafone Intelligent Solutions in India. This session delved into the intricacies of conducting business across Europe, covering compliance requirements, differences between national labor laws, and the regulatory challenges of operating across diverse jurisdictions.

The next session, titled “India’s New Labour Codes – The Way Forward,” highlighted the significant changes in India’s employment regulations. Moderated by Savitha K Jagadeesan, Senior Partner at Kochhar & Co., Chennai, this discussion included Israel Inbaraj from Adani Group, Madhav Rao Uppuluri from Tata Motors, and Sabuj Choudhury from Flextronics Technologies. The panel explored the implications of India’s newly introduced labor codes, focusing on how these changes affect compliance practices, employee rights, and business operations.

In addition to the primary sessions, the conference offered several breakout sessions designed to address specific topics in greater detail. These sessions covered a range of issues such as misconduct terminations, workforce rightsizing, sexual harassment in the workplace, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. The discussions aimed to provide practical and legal guidance to help employers mitigate risks and foster safe, inclusive, and equitable workplaces.

After a networking lunch, participants reconvened for more breakout sessions addressing emerging challenges, including ESG and DEI practices, employee transfers, and data protection concerns. These focused discussions allowed attendees to engage deeply with specific topics, learning from experts with hands-on experience in addressing such matters in their organizations.

The closing session, “Future Opportunities and Challenges,” examined emerging trends that employers should prepare for, including political shifts, the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace, flexible work models, and the importance of data privacy. This session provided attendees with a forward-looking perspective on the evolution of employment laws and the potential impact of these trends on workforce management.

The event concluded with a networking session, giving participants a chance to connect with peers from various sectors and regions. A visit to the Kochhar Gurgaon office followed, where Ius Laboris delegates and other guests could engage further and exchange ideas.

Overall, the conference was a key gathering for those involved in employment law and workforce management. It provided an essential platform for sharing knowledge and best practices for adapting to the evolving employment landscape. With expert speakers from multiple countries, the conference showcased the international cooperation required to navigate the increasingly interconnected and complex world of employment law.