Founding a Works Council
Your Works Council Has Your Back
Fair wages, secure jobs, good working conditions – there is much to gain from a works council. It is there to represent employees’ interests in a company. It’s not up to your employer to concede or deny a works council. As an employee, you are legally entitled to elect one. No informal “company round table,” “employee get-together,” or “spokesperson” can replace them. Works councils’ rights to co-determination are legally codified and enforceable.
How a works council helps you
For startups and tech companies
Works councils are just as useful and important in a scaling startup or young tech company as in more traditional businesses. They protect employees and can actually help a would-be unicorn become one!
In our video you’ll see
- Who can set up a works council and why.
- What a works council can mean not only for the workforce, but for the success of the company.
- And what pineapples have to do with it.
How do I start?
It’s not as hard as it sounds, and it’s worth the effort. These are your milestones.
Get a free consultationContact us discreetly before you mention the idea at work.
- Issue the official invitation
The invitation to elect the works council board must be on paper!
- Advertise!
Make waves within the company.
- All-hands staff meeting
To start the election process elect the electoral board, which after the meeting is responsible for the election.
- The vote by secret ballot
One week after the staff meeting, but only for employees. Management can’t vote.
- Vote count
In the open!
- Publication of results
The successfully elected candidates must formally accept their new position.
- The first meeting
Call to order, elect a chairperson, and get to work! (You might want to bring your own pineapple.)
