15 August is a public holiday
On Saturday 15 August, we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. For most companies, this is a day of inactivity. In that case, the public holiday must be replaced by a substitute public holiday on another day of the year. If there is no agreement on a substitute day, the first ordinary working day after the public holiday automatically applies as the substitute public holiday.
Read more: "How is the substitute day determined?"
Transparency rules for Gen AI systems come into force
From 2 August 2026, new transparency rules under the AI Act will apply. Do you use AI chatbots, generate synthetic content or work with deepfakes? Then you must clearly inform users about this. The obligation to make employees AI-literate has also applied since February 2025.
According to the original schedule of the AI Act, the rules for high-risk AI systems would also apply from 2 August 2026. However, due to the recently approved AI Omnibus, that date has been postponed to 2 December 2027 for most autonomous high-risk AI systems (including many HR applications) and to 2 August 2028 for high-risk AI embedded in regulated products.
Read more: "Regulation - EU - 2026/1744 - EN - EUR-Lex"
Shortened notice periods
For labour contracts starting from 1 August 2026, the notice periods will be shortened to 1 week during the first 6 months of the labour contract. This indirectly reintroduces the probationary period.
Read more: "Shorter notice periods in the first 6 months"
Emma starts employment on 10 August 2026. On 20 November 2026, the employer decides to terminate the labour contract. Emma then has just over 3 months seniority. Because her labour contract started from 1 August 2026, the notice period is only 1 week.
Flash inspections in the agriculture and horticulture sector in September 2026
In September 2026, the inspection services will carry out so-called flash inspections in the agriculture and horticulture sector (JC 144, 145 and 132). The flash inspection is an announced inspection of social legislation and labour regulations. By announcing the inspections in advance, the inspection services want to prevent social fraud and hope that companies will still comply at the last minute. Do you want legal advice, or has an inspection been announced in your company?
Our experts are ready to assist you on site and defend your interests. Contact us via securexlegal@securex.be
Read more: "The flash inspections for 2026 are known"
