Board level representation in Europe: Overview in 2017

In 19 of the 31 members states of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, there exists some legislation on employee board-level representation. Even in countries that have no legal regulations, such as Italy and Belgium, instances may be found (albeit exceptional) of workers’ representatives sitting on the company’s board as the result of a collective agreement.

The situation in 2017 slightly changed from that of 2015, since board-level employee representation rules were reintroduced in the Czech Republic for the private sector in January 2017. Thus, this country is now back to the group of countries where regulations have a wider scope, covering both state-owned companies and the private sector. The updated situation is presented on the below map.

Depending on the company structure in the respective member state, the workers’ representatives may either sit on the board of directors (in a monistic system with only an administrative board) or on the supervisory board (in a dualistic system with a management board and a supervisory board). In every country a specific system has evolved and (board-level) representation is always embedded in the wider context of the national industrial relations system. Consequently, the situation differs significantly among the member states.

Situation in Europe in 2015

In 19 of the 31 members states of the European Economic Area countries, there exists legislation on employee board-level representation. Even in countries that have no legal regulations, such as Italy and Belgium, instances may be found (albeit exceptional) of workers’ representatives sitting on the company’s board as the result of a collective agreement. Available in EN, DE and FR.

Depending on the company structure in the respective member state, the workers’ representatives may either sit on the board of directors (in a monistic system with only an administrative board) or on the supervisory board (in a dualistic system with a management board and a supervisory board). In every country a specific system has evolved and (board-level) representation is always embedded in the wider context of the national industrial relations system. Consequently, the situation differs significantly among the member states.