Interview with Fernando Bazán (Deloitte Legal)

From the 38th floor of the Torre Picasso in Madrid, Fernando Bazan, Deloitte Legal’s Global Head of Employment and Benefits, observing the horizon of business relationships. It’s an app he’s helped promote since coming from CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo in 2014.

sometimes is one of four partners in the labor department in Spain. Covadonga Rodan, partner responsible for labor in Spain; or your own Fernando Ruizfrom Perez-Llorca; Y Xavier Pallaresa partner based in Barcelona, ​​who has established a practice of more than forty experts, two of whom are consultant lawyers, Beatriz Prieto Y Oihane Inhausti.

“It is currently structured by this area of ​​labor law. More than 400 lawyers spread over 65 countries thanks to the growth experienced in the last five years. In a time like today when companies are transforming their business models or conducting mergers and acquisitions, the role of business lawyers is key,” he explains.

Our subject is a whole business consulting specialistspecializes in advising on the employment effects of acquisitions, mergers, acquisitions and successions.

Also a extensive experience in restructuringlegal aid and representation in all areas of dismissal processes, collective bargaining, judicial dispute resolution and social justice.

“Companies ask us to help them in their transformation process or expansion if they are multinational. They need flexibility to deal with the current situation and should not make layoffs more expensive in this impending crisis. The labor reform in 2012 created a balanced framework,” he warns.

From his perspective, “companies have their employment consultants themselves take preventive decisions. In our case, there are many transnational policies we serve, thanks to the strength of our network and our location in many countries. They want a single contact for all business relationships promoted within their company”.

In this context, this lawyer said:preventive advice increased in most companies. They all have many legal obligations to comply with and need a strategic employment consultant to explain this regulatory framework and how they will adapt their business to this environment. The client is looking for a strategic partner who avoids going to so many lawsuits”.

trips in these last two years, Fernando Bazan proliferated all over the world:It’s all about getting to know the customer better. and also to the team of professionals who created this work practice. Fifteen countries are represented on the Management Committee, of which I, as the only Spaniard, is a part, helping to meet all the needs of multinational companies”.

Looking ahead, this work practice is one of Deloitte Legal’s three core activities worldwide: “The commitment to continue to grow with this global approach is clear. We expect very relevant development and growth in the next five years.. We’re talking very cross-application with other activities like mergers and acquisitions or restructuring, where we encourage collaborative teams”.

Project and people management

Fernando Bazan He highlights the dual vision of the labor business promoted from this practice he manages around the world: “Along with the traditional workforce practice of any law firm we are more efficient thanks to the use of technology and a specific methodology. “At the same time, there is another part of the business where we promote activities related to diversity, social sustainability, teleworking policies or international mobility.”

From his perspective, “being involved in the business development processes of many companies What makes us different from other law firms. Always proactively, because we are now convinced that the market demands more business of this type”.

In this global environment there is the following paradox: the use of remote work or remote work combined with a lifetime of international mobilityare compatible models that can also be found in large companies, allowing some managers to work in other countries. Our job is to design the strategy so that it is effective and conforms to the norm”.

As the global manager of this application, “our professionals spread all over the world help us to initiate different projects of a cross nature. With this in mind, we have become internal partners to help many companies manage their human capital. A transformation process does not always end with a layoff”.

For this lawyer,It’s clear that a country like Spain has a pending account with top talent over 50.. Helping them become entrepreneurs and run their own businesses can be one of the solutions, companies are thriving and have to give input to a new generation of professionals”.

When we look at 2023, Deloitte Legal will continue to grow its workforce practices: “It’s been a year full of uncertainties, but the world economy seems to be starting to calm down. We hope that the war in Ukraine will end and the US and UK will exercise their leadership. It can be predicted that the first quarter of next year will be difficult, but we should hope that 2023 will go well.”

Employment resists crisis

For this international lawyer, The impending crisis situation makes it clear that employment is better resisting this looming scenario for the time being.: “Our activity includes human resources policies and the development of a mobility strategy for managers abroad, as well as the study of working relationships. This interrelationship ensures a global service to the client in this application”.

However, it is not easy to realize the so-called income pact sought to balance the increase in inflation with the increase in workers’ wages in our country: “It’s a complex exercise to accomplish and it’s not clear how it will end.. What is clear is that many companies cannot achieve the same increase in wages as inflation itself. Negotiation with the unions will be key there”.

Regarding the workforce reform carried out at the end of December 2021, Bazán said, “Our multinational customers are surprised that they are not able to meet the temporary needs previously undertaken by the employment and service contract and now repealed. This limitation is noticeable.

second,”from a practical point of view, it doesn’t appear that much has changed in their operation.. Regarding the concept of modular compensation discussed at the ASNALA Congress and supported by the second vice-president and Minister of Labour, Yolanda Diaz, I find it difficult to reach a consensus on this issue.

According to him, “the idea of ​​increasing severance pay was one that carried over from the administrative control of ERES, as was done before the labor reform in 2012. These are two ideas that will take away the flexibility of companies. It is precisely during a recession that they need that flexibility.”

In the context of this study, companies’ liabilities are increasing Since the pandemic has impacted the global community, “We conducted a study of the main jurisdictions regarding regulations approved by Covid19 on labor matters, with Spain being the first with more than thirty approved regulations in this ranking by country. In this way, having a global strategy for a multinational company has been complicated by regulatory inequality”.

From your point of view,our multinational customers warn of a certain distrust arising from our regulatory environment. Legislation changes and this can be changed without too many complications. It is clear that European companies are not accustomed to the volatility of our legislative environment”.

At the same time, the measure promoted by the Minister of Social Security, José Luis Escriva Uncovering social contributions “can hinder business development and we will need to pay close attention to its development to really see what its most direct impact on the business fabric is”.

sometimes Despite his little time remaining, he combines his work at Deloitte Laboral with teaching. for 15 years He is a professor at the Centro de Estudios Garrigues. Business Law and Corporate Law Master’s courses.

He also oversees the solidarity initiative ‘Abogados Comprometidos’ at Deloitte Legal, in which the Firm promotes activities with more than 30 charities, foundations and nonprofits through its bounty program.

Along with these two personal passions: running and rock’n’roll. “Since those concerts at Rock & Law, I have always been clear that this is one of the passions that needs to be developed. Last year we raised about 45,000 euros with “The Loitte Bandc” and I do not mind forming an international band with my colleagues. We organize sports activities through the Deloitte Runners Club. I direct”.