Works council elections are coming up: social skills – that's important

Created: 02/10/2022, 1:00 p.m

By: Patrick Star

Campaigning for the works council elections: (from left) specialist secretary Udo Schulz, youth specialist secretary Patrick Grabanyi and 1st authorized representative Helmut Dinter from IG Metall Weilheim, which is also responsible for the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.

Recently, 16-year-olds can also vote © kn

They are buffers, pastors, helpers in need: works councils.

They will be re-elected in the period from March 1st to June 30th.

The search for candidates is ongoing.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - In a virtual press conference, members of the works council now gave an insight into their work.

It hasn't exactly gotten any easier in times of the corona pandemic: "As a works council, you are the buffer stop from both sides," said Peter Hollerer, works council at "Eagle Burgmann" in Wolfratshausen.

On the one hand, management is trying to somehow get through the pandemic with rigorous regulations.

On the other hand, there are 1,500 employees who reflect the whole breadth of society.

“One does not want to be vaccinated, the other does not want to be tested.

And the third is a hypochondriac who takes health protection incredibly seriously.”

Works councils must try to mediate between all parties

A works council must try to mediate between all these blocks.

"You need a lot of social skills," said Hollerer.

"If you don't have that, you're out of place as a works council." One thing is clear: "As a works council, you're not the savior of the world.

You can only try to help shape it.”

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Bad Tölz newsletter.

"You have to understand what's on your colleagues' hearts."

Stefan Hartl from "Sitec Aerospace" in Bad Tölz sees it similarly.

"Empathy is very important, you have to understand what's on your colleagues' minds." Sometimes, however, the opinions are not entirely understandable: "You have to say: In my opinion, that's total nonsense that you're telling .” You often find yourself caught between the fronts: “You need a thick skin, you have to let things roll off, otherwise you ruin your life.”

A lot has changed in dealing with management

This is confirmed by Dietmar Garreis from "Weber Schraubautomaten" in Wolfratshausen: "You shouldn't take everything personally.

Some package their criticism well, but others smack you right and left, so that it just whistles.” Actually, his company is a “cuddly business, but there are a few professional mockers”.

A lot has changed in dealing with the management level, Hollerer reported: “In 1988 I still had an almost personal relationship with the management.

Today there are young managers who still have their professional careers ahead of them – there is a different wind blowing.”

Candidates for the works council elections are being sought

According to Petra Bierwerth from "Bauer Compressors" in Geretsried, empathy and "a bit of self-confidence towards the managers" are the key to success.

The work has many positive effects: “If you are a works council member for years, you become stronger.

At the age of 60, I resolve a dispute differently than I would have at the age of 35.”

In order to find competent people who are willing to run for the works council, you have to "bang the drum a lot," says Bierwerth.

"For many, fear resonates." She tries to take away this fear from the candidates, "because the work also has a lot of good things.

You are the interface between employee and employer.

The employees really appreciate that.

And you're not always ready for a ruckus - even if a lot has to be critically questioned." It is important that the works council acts as a unit, "so that no one can bludgeon".

There are still many companies without a works council

Helmut Dinter (IG Metall) added that there are still many companies in the district without a works council.

He often hears that fear of the company is the reason for this: "Our task is to take away this fear from the employees." The Works Constitution Act has been changed in recent years.

Employees who campaign for a works council election would now be well protected: "Nothing can happen to you."

Recently, 16-year-olds can vote

Recently, even 16-year-olds are allowed to vote.

Works councils should be appointed in all companies with five or more employees.

The rights of the committee are restricted up to a size of 20 employees.

"But it gets exciting from 20 employees." Works councils have many rights.

In this way, information about economic matters could be obtained.

You have a right to participate in all personnel matters.

There is even a right of co-determination in social matters.

This includes, for example, the question of whether employees are allowed to work from home or whether they have to be present in the company.

In companies with more than 200 employees there are works councils that are exempt from work.

Assistance on the subject of works council elections is available by e-mail to weilheim@igmetall.de and telephone 08 81/9 23 70.

More current news from the region around Bad Tölz can be found here.