Having a voice, participating & co-determining is trending in modern companies and more than just a trend. Employees expect appropriate participation in organizational development and want to contribute their interests and ideas. Alternative employee representation in the form of a Culture Council is becoming increasingly popular.

Works Council Act – The XXL Package

When thinking about workplace co-determination today in Germany, most people first think of the Works Council Act and the Works Council. Many believe this is the only form of organized employee participation. What many don’t know is that most companies don’t have a works council. In western Germany, approximately 42% of employees work in companies with a works council, while in eastern Germany it’s only 35%. Generally, companies with fewer than 500 employees also have fewer works councils. However, it’s also true that the works council institution is widely known and defined down to the smallest detail in form and framework. Everything here is legally regulated, and one could speak of an XXL package – particularly proven in large corporations – with all its advantages and disadvantages.

Alternative Employee Representation Bodies

But there are also companies and employees who prefer the Small/Medium package. According to a study by the University of Lüneburg (2019), 18% – 23% of all companies have alternative employee representation bodies – with an increasing trend. Employees in companies without works councils increasingly say: „We want to have a voice, participate & co-determine, but a works council is too bureaucratic and cumbersome for us. We’re looking for a solution that we can tailor individually to our company.“ It’s good to know alternatives exist, because they actually do – and the good thing about them: they work, and with the IPA Institute, you’ll find an experienced implementation partner.

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Trend Toward Company-Specific Solutions – Alternative Employee Representation

More and more companies are breaking new ground and establishing alternative employee representation committees – sometimes even as a complement to the works council. These are then called Culture Council, Employee Board, or Employee Committee. The company Pixum from Cologne is one of these companies and established a Culture Council as early as 2011, creating a successful model for alternative employee participation. The IPA Institute, with CEO Ursula Vranken, provided conceptual support and coaching.

Culture Council – Corporate Culture Becomes More Important

Meanwhile, many companies – from publishers, e-commerce and retail companies to plant construction companies – have embarked on this journey together with the IPA Institute and Ursula Vranken. How does all this work exactly and how can you imagine it? Read more about it here:

WORKSHOP

Are you curious? Want to establish such a committee right away?

Then book a workshop Alternative Employee Representation – On the Way to an Employee Council with Ursula Vranken.

We come to you – live or virtually – and share our experiences, answer your questions, and discuss what possibilities exist for establishing such a committee in your company. Together with you, we examine the framework conditions for successfully designing a Culture Council. We are your partner for people management.

TARGET GROUP: Managers, HR decision-makers and HR professionals in small and medium-sized companies and all employees who want to establish such a committee.

DATE and LOCATION: Call us and we’ll arrange an appointment – 0221-5509476 or mail to us.

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Alternative Employee Representation: Beyond Traditional Works Councils