COSTS OF THE WORKS COUNCIL

The employer alone bears the costs resulting from the work of the works council. In this respect, the works council does not have any assets or funds. Additionally, the employer must provide the necessary rooms, material resources, information and communications technology, and office personnel for the works council meetings, office hours, and day-to-day business. If the works council considers the legal advice of a lawyer to be necessary, the employer must also bear these costs. The same applies for all legal disputes with the works council in court. However, that is not enough: independent thereof, the employer is obligated to pay the works council members the customary remuneration during the time in which the works council work is completed. Due to the fact that works council members must receive comprehensive training on their rights and obligations, the employer is also obligated to pay the necessary training expenses. Such expenses are not insignificant because each member is entitled to comprehensive training on works council constitution law.