At a glance
- The Quality Jobs Act is a legislative package scheduled for adoption as a Commission proposal later in 2026.
- Five priority areas have been identified: algorithmic management and AI at work, health and safety at work, workers' rights in subcontracting chains, fair digital and green transitions, and enforcement and the role of social partners.
- It remains to be seen whether the Commission will propose new measures in all identified areas.
- The right to disconnect and fair telework have been subject to a separate but parallel two-stage social partner consultation, the findings of which will feed into the Quality Jobs Act.
- The final legislative structure – whether one directive covering all areas or several separate instruments – has not yet been confirmed by the Commission.
The European Commission is preparing a comprehensive Quality Jobs Act (Act), expected in Q4 2026, which is set to modernise EU workplace rules across several fronts.
On 4 December 2025, the Commission formally presented the Quality Jobs Roadmap. The second-phase consultation of Quality Jobs Roadmap runs until 28 September 2026.
The second-phase consultation document identifies five priority areas for future EU action:
- Algorithmic management and artificial intelligence at work: Making automated decisions more transparent and human-centred, and protecting employees from excessive monitoring.
- Safety and health at work: Updating rules for workplaces outside traditional offices and tackling risks such as extreme heat, psychosocial hazards, and 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.
- Enforcement and the role of social partners: Strengthening labour inspections, sanctions for non-compliance, and social dialogue.
As part of this initiative, the Commission is revising the Workplace Directive and the Display Screen Equipment Directive to update occupational health and safety standards for modern and digital work environments.
In parallel, the outcomes of the completed social partner consultation on the right to disconnect and a telework framework are expected to feed into the Act.
Revision of the Workplace Directive and the Display Screen Equipment Directive
The review of these two occupational health and safety directives is a central component of the Quality Jobs Act's health and safety pillar. The Commission confirmed work on the revision of the Workplace and Display Screen Equipment Directives is ongoing as part of the preparations for the Act.
The review of the Workplace Directive is intended to update occupational safety and health protections for modern workplaces and to better address psychosocial and ergonomic risks, as well as risks affecting workers with disabilities.
The revision of the Display Screen Equipment Directive aims to bring the directive's protections in line with the realities of modern digital working environments, where display screens are ubiquitous and work is increasingly performed remotely or in hybrid settings.
Right to disconnect and fair telework
The right to disconnect and fair telework were subject to their own dedicated two-stage social partner consultation, which was finalised in October 2025. The Quality Jobs Roadmap states that the Act will take into account the outcomes of that consultation. This means the right to disconnect and fair telework are expected to be closely coordinated with the Quality Jobs Act.
Key takeaways
Employers across the EU should monitor the Quality Jobs Act proposal closely. While the exact legislative structure is still to be confirmed, the direction of travel is clear: a comprehensive update to EU employment and occupational health and safety rules that will address the realities of modern, digitally transformed workplaces.
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