Works Council
A formal body of employee representatives that consults with management on workplace matters.
Also: Betriebsrat
Definition
A Works Council is an employee representation body, common in European countries, that acts as a formal channel for consultation and information sharing between employees and management on matters affecting the workforce, such as restructuring, working conditions, and redundancies. Works Councils have legal standing and specific consultation rights under regulations like the EU Works Council Directive. They differ from trade unions in that they focus on workplace-level issues rather than collective bargaining.
Example
“Before implementing a new shift schedule, the management team was legally required to consult the Works Council and consider its formal opinion before finalizing the changes.”
Synonyms
- employee committee
- staff council
- employee representative body
Images
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Related Terms
- Collective Bargaining
- Trade Union
- Employee Relations
- Labour Laws