Bermuda Passes Employment Law Amendments Offering Greater Employee Protections

The Employment Amendment (No. 2) Act 2026 was passed in the House of Assembly. This legislation provides greater protections for employees during rest periods and prohibits employers from taking disciplinary action against staff while they are on leave or off duty. The Act also establishes civil penalties for noncompliance and extends the timeline for tribunal decisions.

The legislation amends the Employment Act 2000 and aims to ensure employment justice works. Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, stated that the reforms were based on a report submitted by the Labour Relations Tribunal and discussed with the Labour Advisory Council. The changes introduce new provisions affecting the operational environment for businesses in Bermuda.