The European Commission has taken another step towards expanding employment regulation at EU level. On 4 December 2025, it published the Quality Jobs Roadmap, marking the beginning of the legislative process leading to the proposed Quality Jobs Act. The Roadmap aims to improve job quality and create high quality and future proof jobs in Europe.
The Roadmap focuses on the areas where EU action can make the greatest difference:
- Creating and maintaining quality jobs across the EU
- Ensuring fairness and modernisation in the world of work
- Supporting workers and employers in the green, digital and demographic transitions
- Ensuring effective access to rights, quality public services and adequate investment
Why does this matter?
While the final scope of the legislation remains uncertain, the Commission has signalled that it intends to address a broad range of employment-related challenges linked to technological change, workforce management and the green transition. As a result, the Quality Jobs Act could become one of the most significant EU employment law initiatives of the current legislative cycle.
Key areas under consultation
Following an initial consultation in early 2026, the Commission launched a second consultation of social partners on 20 July 2026, requesting input on the concrete content of the proposed legislation.
The consultation, which runs until 28 September 2026, covers five themes:
- Algorithmic management and AI at work – making automated decisions more transparent and human-centred and protecting employees from excessive monitoring. The Commission is assessing whether existing legislation, including the AI Act, provides sufficient protection for workers in this context.
- Safety and health at work – updating rules for workplaces outside traditional offices and tackling risks such as extreme heat and psychosocial hazards, including sexual harassment.
- Workers’ rights in subcontracting chains – improving transparency, liability and enforcement to prevent labour exploitation.
- Fair digital and green transitions – supporting skills development and social dialogue so workers are not left behind when companies adapt to a changing economy.
Following the consultation, social partners may decide to open negotiations with a view to reaching a joint agreement. If no agreement is reached, the Commission is expected to present a legislative proposal towards the end of 2026.