A work assignment outside the U.S. can be a great opportunity but also carries unique risks. Our firm has extensive experience and expertise helping employees navigate overseas “ex pat” work assignments. We help our clients understand their rights when working abroad, and we have negotiated and litigated on behalf of employees who have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation while working in another country.

U.S. laws prohibiting various types of harassment and discrimination protect U.S. citizens working anywhere in the world for U.S. companies (or entities controlled by a U.S. company). So when a tech worker working in London became disabled on the job, we filed legal claims in the U.S. District Court and the U.K. Labour Tribunal (with local counsel) for failure to accommodate his disabilities and unjust dismissal. In another case, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against a prominent global private equity firm for sexual harassment after an employee in China was forced to accompany executives to brothels there. These cases resulted in substantial recoveries for our clients.

Our firm also helps employees anticipate and negotiate issues that frequently arise when employees are sent abroad, including tax equalization, pre-departure cultural and language training, post-assignment repatriation, shipment of household goods, and other important considerations. When an assignment involves work in countries with violent conditions or limited access to medical care, we take care to negotiate hazard pay, medical evacuation terms, and, when appropriate, personal protection.

We also represent U.S. based employees bringing compensation and discrimination claims against foreign companies here. These cases often involve complex rules of jurisdiction and gathering evidence and require a detailed knowledge of treaties such as the Hague Convention and Friendship, Commerce and Navigation (“FCN”) treaties.

Our firm has been actively involved with the International Bar Association Discrimination and Equality Committee and other organizations of international employment lawyers. We have written and spoken frequently on issues of international employment law and have been recognized with international employment law awards, including as the “Global 100 Law Firm of the Year for Labour & Employment Law” in California in 2019. We are proud to be part of an extensive network of employment lawyers around the world who are available to assist us and our clients overseas, no matter where their claims arise.