Our EWC-team

We have at team of enthusiastic and dedicated EWC-trainers/advisers at our disposal. With the help of our EWC-Service, you’ll be able to get off to a flying start: we have been working in this area since the early stages of EWC’s (1994) and are more than happy to share our many years of practical experience with you. The EWC-Service relies on an extensive international network in the field of industrial relations and cooperates with a number of European trade unions. To ensure continuity, we allocate one permanent trainer/adviser to each EWC. If your permanent contact should be unavailable, one of our other team members will jump in.

The EWC-team publish regularly articles in relevant magazines on Employee representation and in 2011 they published their handbook: The practical guide for European Works Councils

Our EWC team members Sjef Stoop, Arend Hamstra and Leander Boumans are listed below.


sjef_stoop.jpgSjef Stoop

sjef.stoop@sbiformaat.nl
+31 (0)6-52599048

Dr. Sjef Stoop is an economist and already involved with European Works Councils since 1994. In this year he edited the first large-scale study on European Works Councils in the Netherlands. Since that time he has been active as an advisor, trainer and researcher for European Works Councils.

He supports negotiations to set up EWCs and advises and trains on a wide range of EWC issues; e.g. developing an EWC mission & vision, financial analysis, confidentiality,  European Industrial Relations. With his background in economy he also provides advice to EWCs dealing with complex consultation issues like restructurings, joint venture constructions, take-overs etc..

He publishes regularly in relevant magazines on European Works Councils and in 2013 the European Trade Union Institute will publish a manual on communication for EWC members authored by him. He also has broad experience with the theme of Corporate Social Responsibility, from his earlier work at SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) and the Fair Wear Foundation. Sjef Stoop has initiated a number of masterclasses, where renowned experts like Prof. Loe Sprengers and Prof. Arnoud Boot share their knowledge with Dutch Works Council members from international companies.

In everything he does, his approach is ‘getting to results’ with a strong emphasis on communicating with all parties- stakeholders involved.

Publications:

How to deal with confidential information; Manual for European Workers Representatives
How to organise your communications network; Manual for European Workers Representatives


Arend Hamstra KasanmoentalibArend Hamstra

arend.hamstra@sbiformaat.nl
+31 (0)6-21525807

I enjoy working with groups, building a stronger representation of workers within a company. I believe strong companies are built on trust, collaboration and common goals with both workers and management. In the end with a good representation of workers, companies are more effective, more agile and attractive to work for. For the next generation we have to act now on climate change and I believe we all have to contribute towards a sustainable future. European Works Councils have the ability to play an important role in this for themselves, the company and future generations.
In my daily work, I help European works councils focus, develop the necessary skills and assist them as an advisor in the specific consultation processes. My dream is to work in good harmony towards a future where companies take a shared responsibility towards their workers, towards the planet and towards investors.

As a former union officer and owner of my own company I know how to run a business and to be negotiating on both sides. With my knowledge on different cultures, having lived in The Netherlands, France and New Zealand and worked in war-torn Afghanistan, I have learned to be cultural sensitive.
With my political background I understand how the games are played and am happy to share this knowledge.

I am able to give trainings and advise in Dutch, English, French and German.


Leander Boumans Leander Boumans

leander.boumans@sbiformaat.nl
+31 (0)6 25 56 71 43

Leander Boumans has more than six years of personal experience in a Works Council, of which two years as chair, being responsible for representing more than 3600 people. From his educational background, he has a very diverse understanding (business administration, leadership, communication, sales, law, finance, etc.). He has extended his knowledge in these fields during several different roles, of which within the Higher Education and as an advisor for startups. With English as his second native language, he has a degree from the Cambridge University in Business English.

As a quick and analytical thinker, he likes to find creative solutions for problems that arise. With his sensitivity for (intercultural) communication, he can address issues without harming relationships. And as a trainer and an expert he knows how to make the connection with people on their level.

At the EWC Service of SBI Formaat, Leander has become experienced with the EWC Directive and the different national transpositions, different EWC agreements and the Transfer of Undertaking directive. He is also experienced in working with EWC’s  on, and training them in:

  • (the issues of) teamwork
  • information & consultation in practice
  • personal leadership
  • cultural communication
  • communication strategy
  • confidentiality issues
  • technical chairing, and more.

During his trainings he focuses both on the EWC as a group, as on the individuals of the EWC. Depending on the learning style of the group, he can shift his training style from a purely theoretical framework to a fully interactive training.


Hannie Ontijt_portretfoto_SBI_formaatHannie Ontijt

hannie.ontijt@sbiformaat.nl
+31 (0)6 52 59 90 53

I aim for a world where everybody enjoys going to work, in a healthy organisation with a pleasant working environment and with fair payment. The atmosphere is open, inclusive and transparent and there is consideration for each other and for the environment. Opinions of employees at every level matter and there is investment in personal and professional development of employees. Employee participation plays an important role here. I enjoy guiding and coaching European Works Councils in their role as transnational employee representation.

The European Works Council (EWC) works for the employees of organisations with branches in several European member states. The EWC needs to be informed and consulted by the management on transnational decisions that might affect employees in multiple countries. I support and coach EWC members on content and process, in carrying out their tasks and exercising influence. This enables them, in dialogue with management, to make a positive contribution to transnational decision-making. Everywhere I work, I try to add something positive and leave the situation better than how I found it. Cooperation and connection are important values for me.

I have a background as an (interim) HR professional in various international companies in different industries. Over the past twenty years, I have gained experience as a leader, a member of Management Teams and as HR manager with a full scope on HR topics. I have managed mergers and reorganisations and led projects on leadership development, strategic workforce planning, digitalisation, core values, diversity and inclusion, vitality, Onboarding and Performance Management, etc.

As HR manager, I had a role in the employee participation process in the organisations where I worked. Based on the vision that the Works Council and management both serve the interests of the organisation, I gratefully used the knowledge and experience of employee representation in decision-making processes and in projects.

Besides my HR role, I am an experienced trainer and  individual coach, especially for leaders. In my opinion, the quality of leadership determines the result of a department or organisation. People who know who they are as a leader and facilitate and lead their team from their authentic selves achieve more.

Education
Masters Organizational Science, Radboud University Nijmegen; Bachelor Public Administration, University of Twente; Appreciative Inquiry (StudyTube); Leadership and Contracts (Phoenix Education); Deep Democracy (Academy for Organizational Culture); The Art of Implementation (Pentascope); Project Management (Phaos); Expedition Social Innovation (De Baak);Energetic bodywork (Itip); Train the coach program “Instrument for Help” (Itip); Nonviolent Communication; Certified user PPI Thomas International; Certified trainer and user Core Quadrant Game; Insight into Influencing (Bureau Zuidema).