Our foundation courses, WoCo I–IV, combine legal knowledge with a strategic, participatory approach to employee representation. Drawing on practical workplace examples, we explore how works councils can assess the interests at stake and the balance of power, develop their own goals and shape working conditions together with the workforce.
Foundation courses for works councils
Our foundation courses combine legal knowledge with practical tools for active employee representation. Through case studies, exercises and group discussions, we explore how works councils can exercise their participation rights, organise their work and effectively represent employees’ interests. We offer the courses in German as BR I–IV and in English as WoCo I–IV.
WoCo I – Introduction to the work of the works council
This introductory course covers the fundamentals of the Works Constitution Act, including the works council’s duties, rights and scope for action, as well as the protection afforded to its members. It also focuses on understanding the council’s role, organising its work and communicating with the workforce.
WoCo II – Individual personnel measures and workforce planning
How can the works council influence hiring, transfers, pay grading and regrading, and dismissals? We cover the relevant participation rights, procedures and deadlines, alongside the council’s options in workforce planning, skills development and safeguarding employment.
WoCo III – Co-determination in social matters
From working time and holiday planning to monitoring technology, we show how works councils can exercise their co-determination rights in social matters and shape working conditions through works agreements. Particular emphasis is placed on negotiation skills, strategies for achieving results and active workforce participation.
WoCo IV – Alterations of operations, reconciliation of interests and social plans
This course explores how works councils can influence restructuring and alterations of operations at an early stage and represent employees’ interests. We cover reconciliation of interests and social plans, cooperation with the Finance Committee, corporate reorganisations and transfers of business.
- Gefährdungsbeurteilung psychischer Belastung
- Works council retreats and organisational development
- Finance Committee training
- Election Committee training
- Occupational safety and health
- Occupational safety and health
- Working time arrangements
- Alterations and restructurings
- Data protection
- IT and AI systems
- Remuneration and performance
- Pay and performance
- Workforce planning and skills development
- Economic affairs