Act rather than react

Exchange of experiences regarding the work situation
Overview of the provisions on co-determination in the Works Constitution Act (German: Betriebsverfassungsgesetz, BetrVG)
Presentation of the limits of co-determination in companies and explanation of terms/definitions of, among other things:

• Precedence and proviso of collective agreements
• Opening clauses and principle of favourability
• Works council's right of initiative as a consequence of enforceable co-determination

Examples for exercising co-determination in social matters according to Section 87 Works Constitution Act (WCA), e.g.

• Rules of operation of the establishment
• Arrangements concerning working hours
• Technical (monitoring) devices
• Company pay systems

Systematic procedure in the co-determination process
Exercising co-determination and ways to enforce the works council’s rights
Information policy and cooperation with the employees
Works agreements as a result of co-determination:

• Conclusion of works agreements (Section 77 WCA)
• Form and content of works agreements
• Termination and after-effects of works agreements
• Relationship between collective agreements and works agreements
• Difference between enforceable and voluntary works agreements
• Regulatory agreements (definition; difference to works agreements)

Conciliation committee:

• Legal provisions (Sections 76, 76a WCA)
• Tasks of the conciliation committee, procedure for setting it up and principles of the conciliation proceedings (Section 76 WCA)

Principles of resolution procedures at labour court
Right to lodge complaints/grievances (Section 85 WCA)
Involvement of external experts (Section 80 Article 3 WCA)