Alterations and restructurings

Whether you are facing job cuts, relocation, outsourcing or a fundamental reorganisation, we start with the situation in your workplace. Together, we clarify what information is missing, what options are available and what your council wants to achieve. We combine economic expertise with strategic advice and practical support in negotiations.

Assessing your employer’s plans and their economic basis

What problems are the proposed measures intended to solve? How sound are the assumptions about workload, staffing needs and cost savings? We analyse the economic documents, examine the employer’s reasoning and identify information gaps. Where needed, we produce expert reports on the economic issues. We present our findings so that your council can ask targeted questions, develop its own positions and negotiate on a sound basis.

Developing alternatives and shaping the reconciliation of interests

Together with your council, we develop and assess alternatives to job cuts and other measures with adverse effects on employees. These may include continued employment, skills development, alternative organisational models or phased implementation. We also consider future workloads and staffing levels. Where the business is in financial difficulty, we help your council assess plans for continuing operations.

For the reconciliation of interests, we work with your council on concrete proposals covering the scope, timing and implementation of the changes. The aim is to influence the planned measures and prevent or minimise adverse effects on employees.

Assessing financial impacts and negotiating a social compensation plan

What financial consequences will the affected employees face? We help your council identify and quantify these disadvantages. They may arise from lost income, additional travel costs or the loss of employment.

We calculate the financial impact on employees, compare severance and compensation models and assess the company’s financial capacity. Together, we develop proposals for the social compensation plan, including appropriate training and employment transition measures. This gives your council a sound basis for its demands and for evaluating the employer’s offers.

Preparing and supporting your negotiations

We work with your council to clarify goals, priorities and room for negotiation and develop a shared strategy. We help build your arguments, assess the employer’s proposals and prepare drafts of the reconciliation of interests and social compensation plan. At your council’s request, we also provide direct support during negotiations.

We also consider how your council can keep employees informed, draw on their experiences and concerns, and build support for its positions. Their interests form the starting point for the negotiating goals.

Building your council’s independence with WoCo IV

Alongside our consulting services, your council can book our foundation course WoCo IV, also offered in German as BR IV. The course covers the legal foundations and strategic options relating to alterations of operations, reconciliation of interests and social compensation plans. It helps your council assess the employer’s plans more independently, understand its scope for action with greater confidence and prepare the next steps itself.