The works council plays an important role in representing the interests of employees within a company. His main task is to represent the rights and interests of employees as well as their concerns to the employer. Among other things, the works council is involved in personnel decisions, advocates for compliance with labor laws and collective agreements and is supposed to promote social interaction in the company (which it does not always do).

The number of employees required to form a works council varies depending on the country and legal system. In Germany, for example, a works council must be elected in companies with at least five permanent employees entitled to vote.

The works council has a variety of rights, including the right to co-determination in personnel matters, the right to information and consultation, and the right to inspect relevant documents and information from the employer.

The members of a works council are elected by the company's employees. The composition can vary depending on the size of the company and legal regulations.

The remuneration for works council members is not expressly regulated by law. It is fundamentally based on the so-called loss of wages principle. In many cases, works council members also receive time off from their regular work.

Further information and articles on the topic of works councils can be found at https://goetz-arbeitsrecht.de/category/betriebsrat/