Jehan de Wasseige

I am an associate in our International HR Group in Brussels where I advise our clients with respect to individual and collective labour law issues, as well as social security and HR matters.

I regularly advise employers and executives on all aspects of the employment relationship, including the setting up of new units in Belgium, drafting HR policies, employee leavers, hires and terminations. If necessary, I also assist clients throughout litigations (although I prefer settling matters amicably). I have had the opportunity to participate in complex disputes eg involving social authorities or former managers with significant salary packages containing exotic advantages (such as SOPs, RSUs, phantom stocks, etc.) which are unusual under Belgian law.

Belgium being a small country resolutely turned towards Europe, it is not uncommon for clients to be confronted with complex transnational labour related issues (eg international or intra-group secondments, split-remuneration, transnational social security issues, etc), which is why I have developed strong skills in these fields.

I also often assist clients with collective relations (eg employee representative bodies, collective lay-offs, harmonisation of employment conditions, collective bargaining, closing down, etc) and employment matters arising out of corporate transactions. I have experience in conducting diligence and working with counsel outside Belgium on global matters such as the setting up of European Works Councils or group reorganisations.

I mostly work in French and English, but I also have a good understanding of Dutch.