The Domestic Works Councils directive, which requires employers with more
than 50 workers to inform and consult staff on all crucial decisions, has
finally been agreed by the EU member states.
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The Government, which opposed the idea, finally capitulated after
concessions were made to give more employers time to implement the legislation.
As a result, firms with 150 or more employees will have three years to
implement the directive, companies with more than 100 employees will have five
years and organisations with more than 50 staff will have seven years.
Under the new rules, employers will have to keep their employees briefed on
the foreseeable development of a business’s activities and its economic and
financial situation, the structure of the business and the development of
employment within the business and any decisions that may lead to substantial
changes in the organisation of the business, or employment within the business.
