Managing the Works Council

As Chair or Secretary, you play a key role in the success of your Works Council. You help set priorities, organise activities, prepare meetings and ensure that the Council can operate effectively and make informed decisions.

This training is designed specifically for members of the Daily Board (DB). Whether you have recently taken on your role or would like to strengthen your skills, this programme provides the practical knowledge and tools needed to lead the Works Council with confidence.

You will learn how to prepare and manage meetings effectively, improve decision-making processes and create a more structured and productive way of working. Throughout the training, you will work on situations from your own practice and receive valuable insights from both the trainer and fellow participants.

Content of the training

The training covers the following key themes:

Building effective cooperation within the Daily Board and the Works Council;
Preparing and structuring Works Council meetings effectively;
Decision-making processes within the Works Council;
Leading consultation meetings with confidence and impact;
Identifying opportunities for improvement and strengthening the Council’s effectiveness.

Working method

Each topic is introduced through concise theory and practical examples, followed by interactive exercises and discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own experiences and challenges from Works Council practice. There is ample opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn from both the trainer and fellow participants.

Objectives of the training

After completing this training, you will:

Understand the key responsibilities of the Chair and Secretary and how to address the challenges and dilemmas associated with these roles;
Know how to facilitate effective decision-making within the Works Council;
Contribute more confidently and effectively to Works Council and consultation meetings;
Evaluate and improve meeting agendas using practical criteria and best practices;
Prepare consultation meetings in a structured and professional manner;
Identify challenges within your own Works Council practice and develop practical solutions to address them.

For whom?

This training is designed for new Works Council Chairs and Secretaries. The focus is on preparing, organising and leading Works Council meetings and consultation meetings effectively.

Chairs and Secretaries can attend individually, although we strongly recommend participating together as a duo. Vice Chairs and Vice Secretaries are also welcome to join.

‘Develop the skills to guide your Works Council with confidence and achieve better results together.’

09:00 - 09:30
Arrival at the location
Welcome with coffee and tea.
09:30 - 10:30
Getting acquainted with the group
A great thing about this training is that you can learn from other chairs and secretaries of Works Councils from various organizations. We start the training with an introduction. You get to know each other better and get a picture of the other organizations. Furthermore, you get a first impression of the different Works Councils and the way the other chairpersons and secretaries work.
10:30 - 12:30
Preparing for the meeting
Good preparation is half of the work! We will look at your current agendas and reflect on what is going well and what you can improve. You will learn tips and tricks on how to prepare a proper agenda and lead the meeting with care.
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch break
13:30 - 14:30
Decision-making in the Works Council during the meeting
During the meeting, many opinions can arise. Perhaps your most important task is to guide decision-making within the Works Council. The Works Council must take joint positions on a variety of topics. How do you ensure that the Works Council members, each with their own opinions, align together?

You will learn how to proceed in order to reach a decision with the Works Council. We also pay attention to the interplay between chair and secretary during the meeting.
14:30 - 16:00
Leading the consultation meeting
In the consultation meeting, the Works Council speaks with the director. This afternoon we will discuss leading the consultation meeting.

You will learn how to prepare and lead a meeting. It is important that the Works Council members complement and reinforce each other. You will learn how to technically chair the consultation meeting. The other Works Council members then act as spokespersons in terms of content. Strategies such as suspending the meeting are also discussed.
16:00 - 16:30
Improvement actions for your own work
At the end of the training, you assess the outcomes. What concrete things do you want to change or improve in working with your Works Council?

You will discuss with each other what you want to improve and make agreements. Some points of improvement you can tackle immediately yourself. Other improvements must be discussed within the Works Council. The question of what support your Works Council will need in the coming period will also be discussed.
16:30 - 16:45
Reflection and end of training
We will evaluate and wrap up the training.