Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Employee relationsEmployee communications

Europe leads the way on staff consultation

by Personnel Today 11 Jan 2005
by Personnel Today 11 Jan 2005

The deadline for implementing the Information and Consultation Directive, 23 March 2005, is fast approaching.

An international survey by law firm Eversheds, conducted across its global network of offices and among members of the Employment Law Alliance, has investigated how European states will implement the directive.

The new directive will mean that member states must guarantee information and consultation procedures in companies with 50 or more employees. Companies must inform staff about recent and probable developments, future activities and the economic situation.

They must also consult employees about the situation, the structure and the probable development of employment within the company, the planned or anticipated measures if employment is in danger, and any decisions that will have a substantial impact on the organisation of the work or on employment contracts.

According to the directive, the information must be given to the relevant level of employee representation, and the timing, method of delivery and content of the information must be appropriate – allowing them time to prepare properly for the consultation.

The Eversheds survey shows that most continental European countries already have elaborate information and consultation systems and that these have been established for a long time. This is certainly the case for Austria, Belgium, France, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

In these countries the information and consultation requirements already go much further than the directive, and some countries, such as The Netherlands, see the implementation requirement as an opportunity to modernise their existing regulations.

Important information and consultation requirements already exist in Sweden, and an extension will be required for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

In Denmark, where information and consultation is in principle governed by the freedom of contract between the employer and the employees, the existing requirements were also laid down in a co-operation agreement between the Danish Confeder-ation of Trade Unions and the country’s Confederation of Employers. A legislative intervention was discussed last November to cover those employees who are not protected by a collective agreement.

The survey also reveals that most of the new accession countries are already compliant with the Information and Consultation Directive.

In Poland, Ireland and the UK – aside from certain specific areas, such as health and safety, mass redundancies, and staff transfers – no general system exists. A draft Bill has been submitted to the Polish social partners – groups which include, trade union and employer representatives – who are currently discussing a proposal with the government.

In Ireland and the UK the concerned parties have also been consulted, and it is expected that the draft Bill will be passed in the UK early this year.

In Italy, information and consultation obligations do not exist in general at national level, but are incorporated in collective agreements at local (provincial) or at company level.

Stefan Corbanie is an employment partner at law firm Eversheds, www.eversheds.com/lawofeurope


Avatar
Personnel Today

previous post
NHS clean up will help staff retention
next post
No reason to delay anti-ageism laws

You may also like

Postal workers and doctors threaten strikes over pay

28 Jun 2022

Heathrow-based cabin crew set for 18% pay rise

28 Jun 2022

British Airways employees at Heathrow vote for walkouts

24 Jun 2022

Government to repeal agency workers ban during strikes

23 Jun 2022

Rail strike: PM calls for pay compromise to...

21 Jun 2022

Engaging frontline staff: employers urged to communicate better

20 Jun 2022

‘General strike’ threat looms as unions voice pay...

20 Jun 2022

The heat is on and so is some...

17 Jun 2022

Rail strike: Shapps hints again at repeal of...

17 Jun 2022

Bolt drivers strike as union launches workers’ rights...

15 Jun 2022
  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
    • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+