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Austrian courts have to deal with an increasing number of cases concerning dismissal on grounds of (alleged) discrimination. The particular challenge is to a draw a conclusive distinction between the concepts of disability and sickness. |
European Employment Law Cases
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Issue 2, 2019
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| Case Reports |
2019/12 Dismissal on grounds of sickness – Discrimination on grounds of disability? (AT) |
| Keywords | Disability discrimination |
| Authors | Peter C. Schöffmann |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
| Case Reports |
2019/13 A long-term functional impairment? (DK) |
| Keywords | Disability Discrimination |
| Authors | Christian K. Clasen |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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An employee’s functional impairment, which at the time of dismissal had had a duration of 11 months and with an uncertain prognosis, was not deemed a long-term one. For that reason, the Danish Western High Court found that the employee was not disabled within the meaning of the Anti-Discrimination Act or Directive 2000/78 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. |
| Case Reports |
2019/14 Termination indemnity based on reduced remuneration for worker dismissed during part-time career break compatible with EU law (BE) |
| Keywords | Gender discrimination, Maternity and Parental Leave |
| Authors | Dr. Gautier Busschaert |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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According to the Labour Court of Mons, calculating the termination indemnity of a worker based on the reduced remuneration paid during a career break called ‘time-credit’ is compatible with EU law, despite the Meerts judgment regarding parental leave. |
| Case Reports |
2019/15 Uniform minimum body height standards in the police service do not constitute indirect gender discrimination on grounds of sex (DE) |
| Keywords | Gender discrimination |
| Authors | Paul Schreiner and Nina Stephan |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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The Higher Administrative Court of Münster (Oberverwaltungsgericht, the ‘OVG’) has held that a minimum body height of 163 cm for applicants to the police service, irrespective of gender, is lawful. At least, this shall apply if the determination of a minimum body height standard is a suitability criterion for access to the police service. Minimum standards solely serve the purpose of ensuring fitness for service and result from a comprehensive investigation. The investigation in this case established that suitability for the police service can only be guaranteed from a height of 163 cm upwards. |
| Case Reports |
2019/16 Pay discrimination based on gender in third level college (IE) |
| Keywords | Gender discrimination |
| Authors | Orla O’Leary |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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A recent decision by the Irish Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that a third level college lecturer had not been discriminated against on the grounds of gender in relation to her pay. |
| Case Reports |
2019/17 Non-discrimination based on gender in the employment relationship (RO) |
| Keywords | Gender discrimination |
| Authors | Andreea Suciu and Gabriela Ion |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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A decision taken by an employer based on gender which respects the national legislation was considered discriminatory based on EU legislation. |
| Case Reports |
2019/18 Consideration of pre-employment as a freelancer in terms of checking fixed-term contracts by courts (GE) |
| Keywords | Fixed-Term Work |
| Authors | Othmar Traber and Daniel Hilmer |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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The German Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht, the ‘BAG’) has held that pre-employment as a freelancer must be taken into account in relation to the number of years having been with a firm as a freelancer when assessing the legality of a fixed-term contract due to the character of the specific deployment. |
| Case Reports |
2019/19 Employer liable for wrongful disclosure of data by ‘rogue’ employee (UK) |
| Keywords | Privacy |
| Authors | Sean Illing |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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The German Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht, the ‘BAG’) has held that pre-employment as a freelancer must be taken into account in relation to the number of years having been with a firm as a freelancer when assessing the legality of a fixed-term contract due to the character of the specific deployment. |
| Case Reports |
2019/20 How to interpret the Posting of Workers Directive in the cross-border road transport sector? Dutch Supreme Court asks the ECJ for guidance (NL) |
| Keywords | Private International Law, Posting of Workers and Expatriates, Applicable Law |
| Authors | Zef Even and Amber Zwanenburg |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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In this transnational road transport case, the Dutch Supreme Court had to elaborate on the ECJ Koelzsch and Schlecker cases and asks for guidance from the ECJ on the applicability and interpretation of the Posting of Workers Directive. |
| Case Reports |
2019/21 Supreme Court rules on liability distribution between transferor and transferee (FI) |
| Keywords | Transfer of Undertakings, Dismissal/Severance Payment |
| Authors | Janne Nurminen |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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A municipal federation took back a nursing home operation it had previously outsourced to a contractor. The Finnish Supreme Court held that a transfer of undertaking had taken place and the municipal federation (transferee) was liable to pay the employee compensation for the unlawful termination of the employment contract. Further, the Supreme Court held that the employee had also without a justifiable reason directed the claim for compensation towards the employer company (transferor/the old contractor) and for that reason was liable to pay the legal costs of the employer company. |
| Case Reports |
2019/22 Supreme Court applies Max Planck and Kreuziger judgments (LV) |
| Keywords | Paid Leave |
| Authors | Andis Burkevics |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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The Latvian Supreme Court recently used the ECJ Max Planck and Kreuziger judgments to explain how an employer can escape its obligation to compensate an employee for unused leave at the end of the employment relationship. The employer must prove that (a) it was possible for the employee to use the leave, and (b) the employer has in good time informed the employee that leave, if not used, might be lost and will not be compensated. |
| Case Reports |
2019/23 A reintegrated employee is entitled to compensation for untaken leave following prior unjustified dismissal (SI) |
| Keywords | Paid Leave |
| Authors | Petra Smolnikar |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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According to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia (Vrhovno sodišče Republike Slovenije) (Supreme Court), reintegration of a formerly dismissed employee does not mean that the employment relationship had not been terminated earlier. Consequently, the employee is entitled to an allowance in lieu of the untaken leave at the time of the dismissal. |
| Case Reports |
2019/24 Court of Appeal rejects Uber’s worker status appeal (UK) |
| Keywords | Miscellaneous, Employment Status |
| Authors | Jemma Thomas |
| AbstractAuthor's information |
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Following an appeal by Uber against the Employment Appeal Tribunal’s (EAT) finding last year, which was featured in EELC 2018/9, that drivers engaged by Uber are ‘workers’ rather than independent contractors (reported in EELC 2018-1), the Court of Appeal (CA) has now upheld the EAT’s decision. The CA also upheld the finding of the Employment Tribunal (ET), which was featured in EELC 2017/10, that drivers are working when they are signed into the Uber app and ready to work (reported in EECL 2017-1). Uber has approximately 40,000 drivers (and about 3.5 million users of its mobile phone application in London alone) and so this decision has potentially significant financial consequences for the company. |
| Landmark Rulings |
ECJ 14 May 2019, case C-55/18 (CCOO), Working TimeFederación de Servicios de Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) – v – Deutsche Bank SAE, Spanish case |
| Keywords | working time |
| Abstract |
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A law of a Member State, which does not require employers to set up a system enabling the duration of time worked each day by each worker to be measured, is in conflict with the provisions of the Working Time Directive 2003/88/EC and also with Article 31(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter). |
| Landmark Rulings |
ECJ 14 May 2019, case C-509/17 (Plessers), Transfer of Undertakings, Dismissal/Severance paymentChrista Plessers – v – Prefaco NV, Belgische Staat, Belgian case |
| Keywords | Transfer of undertakings, Dismissal/severance payment |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 26 March 2019, case C-377/16 (EP Drivers), discrimination, other forms of discriminationKingdom of Spain – v – European Parliament, EU Case |
| Keywords | Discrimination, Other forms of discrimination |
| Abstract |
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Restriction of second language in a job application procedure to English, French and German in selection procedure is invalid. |
| Rulings |
ECJ 11 April 2019, case C-254/18 (SCSI), Working TimeSyndicat des cadres de la sécurité intérieure – v – Premier ministre, Ministre de l’Intérieur, Ministre de l’Action et des Comptes publics, French case |
| Keywords | Working time |
| Abstract |
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Fixed reference periods are allowed, provided that there are measures in place to avoid |
| Rulings |
ECJ 11 April 2019, case C-483/17 (Tarola), Social SecurityNeculai Tarola – v – Minister for Social Protection, Irish case |
| Keywords | Social Insurance |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 11 April 2019, joined cases C-29/18, C-30/18 and C-44/18 (Cobra Servicios Auxiliares), fixed-term workCobra Servicios Auxiliares, S.A. – v – José David Sánchez Iglesias, José Ramón Fiuza Asorey, Jesús Valiño López, Fogasa, Incatema, S.L., Spanish case |
| Keywords | fixed-term work |
| Abstract |
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It is objectively justified to grant fixed-term workers a lower severance payment than indefinite term workers, if the payment has other aims and is paid in a different context. |
| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-161/18 (Villar Láiz), Gender Discrimination, Social InsuranceVioleta Villar Láiz – v – Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS), Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS), Spanish case |
| Keywords | Gender Discrimination, Social Insurance |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-24/17, (Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund), Age DiscriminationÖsterreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund, Gewerkschaft Öffentlicher Dienst – v – Republik Österreich, Austrian case |
| Keywords | Age Discrimination |
| Abstract |
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A new system of remuneration and advancement according to which the initial grading of the contractual public servants is calculated according to their last remuneration paid under the previous system of remuneration and advancement, which was based on discrimination on grounds of the age of the contractual public servants, is inconsistent with Articles 1, 2 and 6 of Directive 2000/78, read in combination with Article 21 of the Charter and inconsistent with Article 45(2) TFEU. |
| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-486/18 (Dodic), Transfer of Undertakings, TransferJadran Dodic – v – Banka Koper, Alta Invest, Slovenian case |
| Keywords | Transfer of Undertakings, Transfer |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-396/17, (Leitner), Age DiscriminationMartin Leitner – v – Landespolizeidirektion Tirol, Austrian case |
| Keywords | Age Discrimination |
| Abstract |
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A new system of remuneration and advancement according to which the initial grading of the contractual public servants is calculated according to their last remuneration paid under the previous system of remuneration and advancement, that was based on discrimination on grounds of the age of the contractual public servants, is inconsistent with Articles 1, 2 and 6 of Directive 2000/78, read in combination with Article 21 of the Charter. |
| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-494/17, (Rossato and Conservatorio di Musica F.A. Bonporti), Fixed-Term WorkMinistero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) – v – Fabio Rossato, Conservatorio di Musica F.A. Bonporti, Italian case |
| Keywords | Fixed-Term Work |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-631/17 (Inspecteur van de Belastingdienst), Social InsuranceSF – v – Inspecteur van de Belastingdienst, Dutch case |
| Keywords | Social insurance |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 8 May 2019, case C-486/18 (Praxair MRC), Gender Discrimination, Maternity and Parental LeaveRE – v – Praxair MRC SAS, French case |
| Keywords | Gender Discrimination, Maternity and Parental Leave |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 13 June 2019, case C-664/17 (Ellinika Nafpigeia), Transfer of Undertakings, TransferEllinika Nafpigeia AE – v – Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos and Others, Greek case |
| Keywords | Transfer of Undertakings, Transfer |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 15 May 2019, case C-677/17 (Çoban), Free Movement, Work and Residence PermitM. Çoban – v – Raad van bestuur van het Uitvoeringsinstituut werknemersverzekeringen, Dutch case |
| Keywords | Free movement, Work and residence permit |
| Abstract |
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| Rulings |
ECJ 13 June 2019, case C-317/18 (Correia Moreira), Transfer of Undertakings, Employees who Transfer/Refuse to Transfer, Employment TermsCátia Correia Moreira – v – Município de Portimão, Portuguese case |
| Keywords | Transfer of Undertakings, Employees who transfer/refuse to transfer, Employment terms |
| Abstract |
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| Pending Cases |
Case C-609/17, Paid LeaveTerveys- ja sosiaalialan neuvottelujärjestö (TSN) ry – v – Hyvinvointialan liitto ry, reference lodged by the Työtuomioistuin (Finland) on 24 October 2017 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-370/17, Social InsuranceCaisse de retraite du personnel navigant professionnel de l’aéronautique civile (CRPNPAC) – v – Vueling Airlines SA, reference lodged by the Tribunal de grande instance de Bobigny (France) on 19 June 2017 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-32/18, Social InsuranceTiroler Gebietskrankenkasse – v – Michael Moser, reference lodged by the Oberster Gerichtshof (Austria) on 18 January 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-37/18, Social InsuranceVueling Airlines SA – v – Jean-Luc Poignant, reference lodged by the Cour de cassation (France) on 19 January 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-95/18, Social Insurance, PensionSociale Verzekeringsbank – v – F. van den Berg and H.D. Giesen, reference lodged by the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Netherlands) on 9 February 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-96/18, Social InsuranceSociale Verzekeringsbank – v – C.E. Franzen, reference lodged by the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Netherlands) on 9 February 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-103/18, Fixed-Term WorkDomingo Sánchez Ruiz – v – Comunidad de Madrid (Servicio Madrileno de Salud), reference lodged by the Juzgado de lo Contencioso-Administrativo No 8 de Madrid (Spain) on 13 February 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-168/18, InsolvencyPensions-Sicherungs-Verein VVaG – v – Günther Bauer, reference lodged by the Bundesarbeitsgericht (Germany) on 5 March 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-171/18, Gender Discrimination, PensionSafeway Ltd – v – Andrew Richard Newton, Safeway Pension Trustees Ltd, reference lodged by the Court of Appeal (United Kingdom) on 5 March 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-177/18, Fixed-Term WorkAlmudena Baldonedo Martín – v – Almudena Baldonedo Martín, reference lodged by the Juzgado de lo Contencioso-Administrativo de Madrid (Spain) on 7 March 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-344/18, Transfer of UndertakingsISS Facility Services NV – v – Sonia Govaerts, Euroclean NV, reference lodged by the Arbeidshof Gent (Belgium) on 25 May 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-203/18, Social InsuranceDeutsche Post AG, Klaus Leymann – v – Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, reference lodged by the Oberverwaltungsgericht für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (Germany) on 20 March 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-274/18, Part-time Work, Gender DiscriminationMinoo Schuch-Ghannadan – v – Medizinische Universität Wien, reference lodged by the Oberverwaltungsgericht für das Arbeits- und Sozialgericht Wien (Austria) on 23 April 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-366/18, Maternity and Parental LeaveJosé Manuel Ortiz Mesonero – v – Unión Temporal de Empresas Luz Madrid Centro, reference lodged by the Juzgado de lo Social de Madrid (Spain) on 5 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-396/18, Age DiscriminationGennaro Cafaro – v – DQ, reference lodged by the Corte suprema di cassazione (Italy) on 15 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-397/18, Disability DiscriminationAna María Páez Juárez – v – Nobel Plastiques Ibérica SA, reference lodged by the Juzgado de lo Social de Barcelona (Spain) on 15 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-428/18, Social Insurance, PensionJörg Paul Konrad Fritz Bode – v – Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social and Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia (Spain) on 28 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-429/18, Fixed-Term WorkBerta Fernández Álvarez, BMM, TGV, Natalia Fernández Olmos, María Claudia Téllez Barragán – v – Consejería de Sanidad de la Comunidad de Madrid, reference lodged by the Juzgado de lo Contencioso-Administrativo de Madrid (Spain) on 28 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-398/18, Social Insurance, PensionAntonio Bocero Torrico – v – Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social and Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social, reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia (Spain) on 15 June 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-439/18, Part-time WorkOH – v – Agencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria, reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia (Spain) on 2 July 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-522/18, Age Discrimination, MiscellaneousDŚ – v – Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych Oddział w Jaśle, reference lodged by the Sąd Najwyższy (Poland) on 9 August 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-610/18, Social InsuranceAFMB Ltd and Others – v – Raad van bestuur van de Sociale verzekeringsbank, reference lodged by the Centrale Raad van Beroep (The Netherlands) on 25 September 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-588/18, Working Time, Paid LeaveFederación de Trabajadores Independientes de Comercio (FETICO), Federación Estatal de Servicios, Movilidad y Consumo de la Unión General de Trabajadores (FESMC-UGT), Federación de Servicios de Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO.) – v – Grupo de Empresas DIA, S.A., Twins Alimentación, S.A., reference lodged by the Audiencia Naciona (Spain) on 20 September 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-537/18, Age Discrimination, General DiscriminationYV – v – Krajowa Rada Sądownictwa, reference lodged by the Sąd Najwyższy (Poland) on 17 August 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-658/18, Fixed-Term Work, Annual LeaveUX – v – Governo della Repubblica italiana, reference lodged by the Giudice di pace di Bologna (Italy) on 22 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-668/18, Age Discrimination, MiscellaneousBP – v – UNIPARTS sàrl, reference lodged by the Sąd Najwyższy (Poland) on 26 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-674/18, Transfer of Undertakings, PensionEM – v – TMD Friction GmbH, reference lodged by the Bundesarbeitsgericht (Germany) on 30 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-670/18, General DiscriminationCO – v – Comune di Gesturi, reference lodged by the Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale per la Sardegna (Italy) on 29 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-675/18, Transfer of Undertakings, PensionFL – v – TMD Friction EsCo GmbH, reference lodged by the Bundesarbeitsgericht (Germany) on 30 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-681/18, Temporary Agency WorkJH – v – KG, reference lodged by the Tribunale ordinario di Brescia (Italy) on 31 October 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-705/18, Part-time Work, Gender DiscriminationAgencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria – v – SJ, reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia (Spain) on 13 November 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-760/18, Fixed-term WorkM.V. and Others – v – Local Authority Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, reference lodged by the Monomeles Protodikeio Lasithiou (Greece) on 13 November 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-801/18, Social InsuranceEU – v – Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants, reference lodged by the Conseil supérieur de la Sécurité sociale (Luxembourg) on 19 December 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-811/18, Social Insurance, Gender DiscriminationKA– v – Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) and Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS), reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Canarias (Spain) on 21 December 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-802/18, Social InsuranceCaisse pour l’avenir des enfants – v – FV, GW, reference lodged by the Conseil supérieur de la Sécurité sociale (Luxembourg) on 19 December 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-804/18, Religious DiscriminationIX – v – WABE e. V., reference lodged by the Arbeitsgericht Hamburg (Germany) on 20 December 2018 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-16/19, Disability DiscriminationVL – v – Szpital Kliniczny im. dra J. Babińskiego Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Krakowie, reference lodged by the Sąd Okręgowy w Krakowie (Poland) on 2 January 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-17/19, Social InsuranceBouygues travaux publics, Elco construct Bucarest, Welbond armatures, reference lodged by the Cour de cassation (France) on 10 January 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-29/19, Social InsuranceZP – v – Bundesagentur für Arbeit, reference lodged by the Bundessozialgericht (Germany) on 16 January 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-85/19, Gender DiscriminationAgencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria – v – RK, reference lodged by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Galicia (Spain) on 6 February 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-37/19, Paid LeaveCV – v – Iccrea Banca SpA Istituto Centrale del Credito Cooperativo, reference lodged by the Corte suprema di cassazione (Italy) on 21 January 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-135/19, Social Insurance, PensionPensionsversicherungsanstalt – v – CW, reference lodged by the Oberster Gerichtshof (Austria) on 20 February 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-211/19, Working TimeUO – v – Készenléti Rendőrség, reference lodged by the Miskolci Közigazgatási és Munkaügyi Bíróság (Hungary) on 6 March 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-181/19, Social InsuranceJD – v – Jobcenter Krefeld — Widerspruchsstelle, reference lodged by the Landessozialgericht Nordrhein-Westfalen (Germany) on 25 February 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-223/19, Social Insurance, Gender Discrimination, PensionYS – v – NK, reference lodged by the Landesgericht Wiener Neustadt (Austria) on 13 March 2019 |
| Pending Cases |
Case C-240/19, Social InsuranceFA – v – Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS), reference lodged by the Juzgado Contencioso-Administrativo No 2 de Ourense (Spain) on 20 March 2019 |