Severance package negotiation with employer
One of the important duties of Betriebsrat councilor is to maintain harmony among the organization. It effectively manages both the ends by lending a patient ear to what is being said and try to understand both the points. By doing this, a golden mean can be achieved, because a third party neutral perspective from the councilor is added to the argument. Getting fired or laid off is one of the worst nightmares any employee can face. Everyone wishes to leave the company on a good note to maintain a good reputation in the market. Sometimes a kerfuffle with seniors can lead to this worst scenario. But Betriebsrat councilors can pull one distressed soul out of the mess. Here I would like to mention a conversation, I happened to overhear on my way to office.
One of the three colleagues was about to be fired, he already had a meeting with HR along with his senior. He was sure of his future. He wanted to know how to negotiate or go about the termination case. One of them was well aware of the rights and duties of employees in Germany. So he informed the others about it in a very understandable manner. The gist of their discussion is as follows: every termination carried out in German company has to be done with the prior notification to Betriebsrat. Only then it is applicable. So the councilors are already aware of this case. The main role of this body is to carry out everything that has been agreed in the contract. Before appearing for the meeting with the officials on this matter one should talk to Betriebsrat first, request them to represent your side before the company, one should also be thoroughly prepared with hard facts and figures. He was also suggested to go for the meeting along with a Betriebsrat councilor, so that he gets an edge, as these councilors are aware of every finer details in the business, this offers an opportunity for the employees who are not so well informed about the layoff process. In case of having a protection right insurance then one should immediately activate it from the office of lawyer. At the end, he was suggested to negotiate on the layoff package with the councilors help and was also advised not to sign anything before consulting to the councilor.
Tags: Betriebsrat, company, councilor, councilors, employees, Small Business