Works Council Act for starters

Works Council Act for starters

As a newly elected member of the Works council, you have a lot to deal with. It is important to know what the task, role and position of the Works council (WoCo) is and what possibilities a Works council has to be able to influence company decisions and policies and to get results. It is important for you to get up to speed quickly in the works council work, so that you can take up your own place and become an effective member of this forum of employees’ representatives.

This training will give you insight into the role and function, and into the rights and powers of the Dutch Works council, as well as some practical working methods for an effective WoCo functioning.

Working method

Apart from introductions and presentations, you will get the opportunity to exchange views and discuss your experiences with WoCo members from other (international) organizations.

Objectives of the training

• Gain insight into the role and function of the Works council within the organization;
• Gain knowledge of the Dutch Works Council Act (WCA) and learn how to use the rights and powers of the Works council in practice;
• Gain insight into the way the WoCo work can be organized efficiently and effectively.

Training programme

• 09:00 - 09:30 Arrival

  Reception with coffee and tea.

• 09:30 - 10:00 Start of the training and introduction

  Welcome, discussion of programme and practical matters. The participants introduce themselves and explain why they became member of the Works council.

• 10:00 - 11:00 The Works council: its role and function

  A short introduction into the historical background of the Dutch Works council and labour relations in the Netherlands. What is the role and purpose of a Works council and which are the main differences between a Works council and a trade union?

  Discussion on the role and function of the Dutch Works council and its objectives and tasks within the company.

• 11:00 - 12:30 Rights and powers of the Works council according to the WCA

  It is important for the Works council members to have a working knowledge of the Dutch Works Councils Act (WCA).
  In this session the trainer will present the main rights and powers, as well as the facilities of the Works council according to the WCA.Furthermore, by going through a number of examples and cases, the participants will get a good insight into how to use the WoCo rights in practice, in order to be really effective.

• 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch break
• 13:30 - 15:00 Continuation: Rights and powers of the Works council according to the WCA

  We will continue with this session. We will pay special attention to the WoCo rights to advice and approval.

• 15:00 - 16:30 Organization and way of working of the WoCo

  Every Works council develops its own way of working or working method. It is important to know what a good practical working method entails. We will now focus on these important practicalities. A good organization of the WoCo work makes the Works council more efficient and productive. In this context we will also pay attention to the consultation relation with the Director and to the communication with the employees.

• 16:30 - Evaluation and end of the training