International Employment - Global Time Tracking Compliance Guide

Bird & Bird's International Employment Group is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive guide to time tracking requirements across jurisdictions worldwide, designed to help multinational employers navigate the complex landscape of working time compliance.

Time tracking has become an increasingly critical compliance issue for multinational employers following landmark court decisions which have established mandatory time recording obligations across multiple jurisdictions.

The guide addresses the key dimensions of time tracking:

• Legal compliance and liability: Mandatory adherence to working time laws globally, with violations risking substantial fines and legal exposure
• Employee protection and fairness: Preventing overwork, ensuring fair pay and adequate rest periods in line with statutory protections
• Business management: Enabling accurate project costing, resource planning, transparent client billing and internal cost allocation. 

What the guide covers

The comprehensive overview provides jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction guidance on:

• Mandatory time tracking requirements and legal basis
• Scope of application (which employees are covered)
• What must be recorded (working hours, breaks, overtime, travelling time)
• Format and retention requirements
• Penalties for non-compliance
• Practical implementation considerations

The guide is particularly relevant for:

• Multinational companies must comply with local time tracking laws in every operating country.
• Cross-border employees, including business travellers, remote teams and "workation" employees who face multiple jurisdictions.
• International customers and partners requiring transparent time records for cross-border projects, compliance audits and tax documentation.
• In-house legal and HR teams managing global workforce compliance. 

For more information about the guide or to discuss time-tracking compliance requirements in your organisation, please contact your usual Bird & Bird employment adviser or reach out to Thomas Hey, Co-Head of International Employment.

View the full guide here