Board-level representation (Participation)
The right of employees or their representatives to elect or appoint some members of a company's supervisory or administrative organ, or the right to recommend and/or oppose the appointment of some or all of the members of these boards represents the third element of the `European trias of worker involvement rights`: information, consultation and (board-level) participation.
For more information on board-level representation rights in Europe visit the following sections on our website:
- National industrial relations (sections on board-level representation)
- European Company (SE)
- Company law / Corporate governance (especially 10th Directive and 14th Directive)
Board-level representation in the European Company (SE)
Until 2004 there was no European standard of worker participation on the supervisory board or the board of directors of companies. The European Company (SE) legislation for the first time introduced a European reference for this form of worker interest representation familiar to many national corporate governance systems.
more ...European trade unions and board-level representation
Also among trade unions the question of board-level representation was disputed for quite some time. This dispute is, however, ended and ETUC and the European Industry Federations support the demand for an extension of board-level representation rights across Europe.
more ...Why board-level representation?
Quotes of workers' board level representatives in multinational companies:
Being a board member opens the doors.
If we were not on the supervisory board, we would find out an awful lot less. We do not just allow information to rain down on us; rather follow through with questions. And management is required to provide us with information.
If anyone knows this company, we do. This means that the questions we raise at supervisory board level are based on expert knowledge of the situation.
