Atim supports Works Council members in developing their skills to engage in constructive consultations with management. As a Works Council team, you gain a clear understanding of your competencies and strengths, enabling you to use them effectively. You establish specific, achievable agreements and ensure ongoing alignment by regularly checking that you remain on the same page and continue to build mutual trust and understanding as a team.
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At Atim, you’ll meet enthusiastic trainers and consultants who bring optimism to every session. We understand the challenges Works Councils face, but we also believe that friction can spark growth. That’s why we teach you how to navigate the strong emotions that can emerge when working closely together.
Our promise? You’ll enjoy the journey. We’ll help you embrace a straightforward, relaxed approach to Works Council work; enabling your team to perform at its best and stay focused on achieving outstanding results.
In the Netherlands, employee representation is determined by the size of your workforce:
Whether you are part of a mandatory OR or a smaller PVT, Atim provides the training needed to navigate these roles with confidence and professionalism.
To be a truly effective partner to management, it is essential to understand the legal tools at your disposal. Under the Dutch Works Councils Act (Wet op de Ondernemingsraden – WOR), your team is granted specific statutory rights that ensure your voice is heard:
Works Councils Foster Better Management
Works Councils contribute to wiser management decisions by assessing the mood on the shop floor and discussing the needs and concerns of the company’s employees. Effective information exchange during consultations with management leads to more informed decisions that benefit the company as a whole. While the management retains ultimate responsibility for the final decision, the input from the Works Council is crucial.
The Dutch Works Councils Act
Both the Works Council and management have rights and responsibilities in their joint consultations, as outlined in the Dutch Works Councils Act. The Works Council plays a significant role in decision-making within the organisation by exercising its rights to advise, approve, and propose changes. Furthermore, both parties can agree on procedures to facilitate the consultation process.
Elections
In the Netherlands, any organisation with 50 or more employees is legally required to establish a Works Council. Every three years, employees elect representatives to sit on the Works Council. Any permanent member of the company’s workforce is eligible to stand for election, but management members are excluded from taking part in the election process.
You recently joined the Works Council and want to effectively represent those who elected you. But how do you go about it? Ask questions, listen carefully and be patient. The knowledge you need is readily available. This article explains how to smoothly transition into your new role as a member of the Works Council.
The employer is legally responsible for the reasonable costs of training and hiring external consultants to support the Works Council.
In the Netherlands, an organisation with 50 or more employees is legally required to establish a Works Council. Employees then elect representatives to the council every three years, and management members are excluded from the election process.
A Works Council represents employees in consultations with management and helps improve decision-making by bringing in what is happening on the shop floor. In the Netherlands, a Works Council can use rights to advise, approve, and propose changes, while management keeps final responsibility for decisions.
A newly elected Works Council becomes effective faster when members understand their role, learn how to consult constructively with management, and make clear agreements as a team. Atim’s page emphasises skill development, mutual trust, shared learning goals, and practical training to help new members contribute from the start.
If the employer proceeds without the required consent, the Works Council can nullify the decision within a specific legal timeframe.
Members receive legal protection against dismissal to ensure they can speak freely and represent staff interests without fear of retribution.
Atim offers tailor-made training for entire Works Council teams and open courses for individual members. The current page highlights training for newly elected Works Council members, Works Council basics on finances, and working conditions training for Works Council members.
A tailor-made Works Council training is often the best choice when your team wants to work on specific learning goals, team development, or better consultation with management. Atim’s page explains that they prefer to start with an introductory meeting to define priorities and create a bespoke programme for the team.
