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German works council size — members and full-time release under the BetrVG

A works council is elected once there are five permanent employees entitled to vote, three of them eligible to stand: one person up to 20 voters, three members up to 50, then according to the total headcount, up to 35 members at 9,000. From 200 employees at least one member is released full time.

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Sources and assumptions

Calculation assumptions

  • What counts is the usual headcount, not the figure on a given day; it is entered, as are the numbers of voters (s. 7) and of eligible candidates (s. 8).
  • The calculation covers a single establishment. Joint establishments of several companies and collectively agreed structures (s. 1(2), s. 3 BetrVG) are not modelled.
  • Releases are the statutory minimum. Part-time releases and different arrangements by collective or works agreement (s. 38(1) sentences 3 to 5) are possible; representation of the minority gender (s. 15(2)) is not checked.

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This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.