Podcast Der Betriebsrat Work Council Workwise Deutsch Learn German B1 C1

Hello and welcome to Learn German And a warm welcome to a new episode of our advanced German podcast series Workwise Deutsch This is your compass through the German working life Every Wednesday you'll get practical tips on working in Germany Direct clear and culturally sensitive Today we're discussing an important topic that many only know by hearsay: the works council What exactly does a works council do Who has a say and when should you reach out to them A works council is an elected representative body for employees within a company His responsibility is to represent the employees' interests in dealings with management In Germany this is precisely regulated by the Works Constitution Act Every company with at least five eligible employees may have a works council He is elected by the employees and operates independently of company management But what exactly does the works council do He has co-determination rights on many issues such as working hours and vacation policies Terminations hiring or health and safety within the company Therefore if new rules are to be introduced that affect daily work life must the works council approve or can it also contribute to shaping decisions Furthermore the works council serves as the point of contact for addressing issues Bullying discrimination unfair treatment or conflicts with supervisors Those who are unsure can confidentially contact the works council It provides support mediates and is familiar with the legal framework Important to know Contact with the works council is confidential There's no need for anyone to fear that discussions with the works council will be interpreted negatively Those who actively participate in the works council are especially protected for instance against dismissal But the works council is not a wish machine He can't achieve everything but he ensures rules are followed and employees are treated fairly A tip If you're new to the company feel free to ask whether there's a works council and who its members are There are often even union representative office hours or information sessions for new employees The works council is a key body for co-determination in German companies He ensures fairness transparency and strengthens workers' rights If you enjoyed this video and want more let us know in the comments Join today and gain access to exclusive content for this video and much more You'll also get a free worksheet when you subscribe to our Patreon page Thank you Thanks for watching this video If you enjoyed this video please give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends Don't forget to subscribe to the channel if you haven't already You can ring the bell to receive notifications whenever we upload a new video If you have any comments or questions feel free to leave them in the section below Goodbye see you again