How can you set up a works council/staff council?

If your company has more than 5 employees, you can set up a works council. Your trade union can help you with this, because there are a few things you need to bear in mind!

If more than 5 employees work in your department (public sector), you can set up a staff council. Staff representation law is enacted by the federal states. Each German state has its own Staff Representation Act (Personalvertretungsgesetz).

When setting up a staff council, you should seek advice and support from the relevant trade union beforehand.

When a works council or staff council is established, there is special protection against dismissal for a certain period of time. This means that it is more difficult for you to be dismissed while a works council is being set up. The special protection against dismissal also applies to elected members of the works council or staff council.