works council
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works council
The representative body elected by the employees of a company to represent their interests to the employer. The works council has legally defined co-determination rights.
Der Betriebsrat hat den neuen Sozialplan mit der Geschäftsführung ausgehandelt.
The works council negotiated the new social plan with management.
works council member
A person who is a member of a works council.
Frag doch mal unseren Betriebsrat, er kennt sich mit solchen Fällen aus.
Why don't you ask our works council member? He knows about cases like that.
The word is made up of 'Betrieb' (company/business) and 'Rat' (council/advisory group). So the works council is literally the 'Rat des Betriebs' (council of the company).
In Deutschland hat jeder Betrieb ab fünf Mitarbeitern das Recht, einen Betriebsrat zu wählen.
In Germany, every company with five or more employees has the right to elect a works council.
The word can refer both to the entire body and to an individual member. The context makes clear what is meant: 'Der Betriebsrat entscheidet' (the works council decides) refers to the body, while 'ein Betriebsrat' usually means a person.
Der Betriebsrat hat der neuen Regelung zugestimmt.
The works council approved the new regulation.
The works council is not an informal group, but a legally established institution in German labor law. It has specific rights and duties in order to represent employees' interests.
Bei Kündigungen muss der Arbeitgeber den Betriebsrat anhören.
In cases of dismissal, the employer must consult the works council.
Common verbs used in connection with the body are 'einen Betriebsrat wählen' (to elect a works council) or 'gründen' (to found/establish). As an employee, you can 'sich an den Betriebsrat wenden' (turn to the works council).
Wenn du Probleme mit deinem Vorgesetzten hast, kannst du dich an den Betriebsrat wenden.
If you have problems with your supervisor, you can turn to the works council.
trade union
A Gewerkschaft (trade union) and a Betriebsrat (works council) represent employees' interests in dealings with employers. The Betriebsrat is elected by the employees of a company and acts there with legally defined co-determination rights. A Gewerkschaft is an organization of employees and is particularly involved in negotiations about wages and working conditions.
Der Betriebsrat vertritt die Beschäftigten bei einer geplanten Änderung der Arbeitszeiten im Unternehmen.
The works council represents the employees regarding a planned change to working hours at the company.
Die Gewerkschaft verhandelt mit den Arbeitgebern über höhere Löhne.
The trade union is negotiating with the employers for higher wages.
