Getting started in the Works Council

Have you recently joined the Works Council and are wondering where to begin? You’re not alone.

New members are often expected to contribute immediately, while experienced colleagues may have little time to explain all the ins and outs of Works Council work. This training helps you quickly get up to speed and gives you the confidence to actively participate from the very start.

Over two practical and engaging days, you will learn about the position of the Works Council within the organisation, your rights and responsibilities under Dutch legislation, and the most important skills needed to represent your colleagues effectively.

You will also explore communication with employees and management, how Works Council meetings work and how you can contribute to productive consultation and decision-making processes.

Content of the training

The role and position of the Works Council within the organisation;
The rights and responsibilities of the Works Council under the Dutch Works Councils Act (WCA);
Effective ways of organising and managing Works Council activities;
Communicating effectively with employees and the wider workforce;
Consulting and collaborating with senior management;
Preparing for and participating in Works Council and consultation meetings.

Working method

The training combines presentations and practical exercises with interactive discussions and knowledge sharing. You will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and learn from the experiences of Works Council members from a variety of organisations, including international companies.

‘Gain the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to make a strong start in the Works Council.’

Dag 1
09:30 - 10:00
Arrival
Reception with coffee and tea.
10:00 - 12:30
Start of the training: Your motivation and what you need to have as a member of the Works Council
Being new to the Works Council demands something of you. With fresh eyes, we get to know each other and the work of the Works Council. What do you have to offer and what is expected of you?

Part 1: The Works Council within the organization: a key position?

What position does a Works Council occupy within an organization? What role does it perform? In order to shape the position and role within an organization, tasks are laid down in the Works Councils Act (WCA). We look at the position and role of the OR and examine how the WCA facilitates the Works Council in this.
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch break
13:30 - 16:00
Part 2: Rights and key powers of a Works Council
We will go through the most important powers of a Works Council according to the WCA. We will also take a look at how it works in practice. We investigate theory versus reality of the Works Council.

Part 3: Exercising influence (Article 24 consultations)

Twice a year a consultation on ‘the general course of affairs’ gives a Works Council the opportunity to be as fully informed as possible about expected developments in the company. After all, if the Works Council knows what is going to happen, you can take action accordingly. And try to be involved as much as possible in possible decisions the company intends to take.
16:00 - 17:00
Break, snack and check-in
17:00 - 19:15
Part 4: Exercising influence (contact with the constituents)
Maintaining contact with the constituents is not an easy task for many Works Councils. How does communication relate to the content of employee participation and what means of communication are appropriate for which situation? Tonight, we examine who 'the constituents' are and what information 'the constituent' is waiting for. You will learn what the Works Council can provide in this and what suitable means are available.
19:15 - 19:30
Ending of the training day - dinner afterwards
Dag 2
09:00 - 09:15
Start of second day
We reflect on day 1 and continue with the other subjects.
09:15 - 12:30
Part 5: Importance of an effective consultation (Works Council meetings and consultation meetings)
The work of a Works Council consists largely of consultations. First of all, of course, the consultation with the entire Works Council and, in addition, the consultation with the director. Both consultations determine the result. An effective consultation starts with creating an agenda. This may seem simple, but it requires a Works Council to have the insight to set priorities and make choices.

We will practice creating a purposeful agenda and go into meetings!
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch break
13:30 - 15:45
Part 5: Continued
As a Works Council, you are formally equal to the director. In practice, this sometimes feels different. In order to have pleasant and effective consultations in the future, this afternoon we will use the so-called BOB model to have result-oriented meetings. We are going to consult!
15:45 - 16:00
Closing and evaluation
We summarize, discuss possible last questions and everyone's personal impression of these two days.