The G.IBS mbH is a work-oriented consulting company that exclusively advises works councils and staff councils. We offer consulting and training for employee representatives and trade unionists, primarily in the fields of corporate strategy, organizational development, and information and communication technologies. We also offer a variety of services for trade unions and employee-oriented organizations. Information about our consulting approach, our seminar offerings, and our topics can be found on the respective pages.
The History of G.IBS mbH
G.IBS mbH emerged from the Innovation Advisory Center (IBS) of the trad union IG Metall. The IBS of IG Metall was established in 1979 as a project of the IG Metall Executive Board and funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology. This makes G.IBS mbH arguably the oldest advisory center for works and staff councils. From 1988 to 1999, it formed the DGB-Technologieberatung Berlin e.V. (DGB Technology Advisory Center Berlin e.V.) together with the DGB Technology Advisory Center (TBS) in Berlin. Until 1998, the IBS and TBS Berlin were jointly funded by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs.
Since 1999, the IBS has had an independent legal form and operates as a company called Gesellschaft für Innovation, Beratung und Service mbH (Company for Innovation, Consulting and Service mbH). Since 1999, we have been a member of the DGB’s nationwide network of technology advisory centers (TBS network).
TBS network
As early as 1979, the need to shape change processes fairly and equitably in the interests of employees led to the establishment of the first IG Metall innovation advice centers (IBS) in Hamburg and Berlin and, in 1982, the technology advice center at the DGB district of North Rhine-Westphalia. The common goal was to support structural change and the introduction of information technology. Over the years, further advice centers were established, such as the Chambers of Labor in Saarland and Bremen and TIBAY in Bavaria.
The work-oriented technology advice network (TBS network) comprises eight technology advice centers in seven federal states under the umbrella of the DGB Federal Executive Board. The individual work-oriented technology and innovation advice centers merged to form the TBS network in 1999. Despite different names and organizational forms, there is a great deal of agreement in terms of tasks and working approach. The focus of the consultations is on improving the working conditions of employees, securing and creating jobs and strengthening co-determination in the company by involving employees in company change processes. A holistic understanding of production and work organization forms the basis for the consulting services.
The topics dealt with by the innovation and technology advice centers have become increasingly complex. In addition to the topic of work and IT, questions of operational restructuring and occupational health and safety have been added. Alternative planning to cost-cutting programs by company management, the assessment of business management problems in crisis situations and the development of strategies to secure employment have also become increasingly important.
The TBS network maintains various specialist working groups on all of these topics, for example on artificial intelligence, occupational health and safety, SAP and call centers. This specialist expertise developed over the years can be drawn on in the current transformation processes. The exchange with and between company stakeholders, trade unionists and academics is intensified at the specialist conferences organized by the various working groups. The focus is on providing guidance, expert advice and, above all, the exchange of experience.
