Austrian employment law and works councils
| In-house seminar
Constructive cooperation with your works council
When considering the rights and obligations of the works council, employers often face uncertainties: Which decisions strictly require the approval of the works council? For what purposes is a works agreement necessary? What documents do you need to provide as an employer?
Guidelines for constructive cooperation with your works council
In the seminar, you will learn how to deal with your works council in a lawful manner, while protecting your interests as an employer. Our legal expert will provide you with practical tips for creating a positive work environment and a cooperative relationship with employee representatives.
Duration | Seminar concept developed individually for you, based on your needs. |
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Farbe der Kategorie | GELB - Arbeitsrecht-HR |
Referenten | Mag. Erwin Fuchs |
Kontaktperson | Kontaktperson 1+2 |
When considering the rights and obligations of the works council, employers often face uncertainties: Which decisions strictly require the approval of the works council? For what purposes is a works agreement necessary? What documents do you need to provide as an employer?
Guidelines for constructive cooperation with your works council
In the seminar, you will learn how to deal with your works council in a lawful manner, while protecting your interests as an employer. Our legal expert will provide you with practical tips for creating a positive work environment and a cooperative relationship with employee representatives.
Ihr Nutzen
- You understand what information, participation, and co-determination rights the works council has in accordance with the Austrian Labour Constitution Act (Arbeitsverfassungsgesetz, ArbVG) and current case law, especially in relation to restructuring and downsizing initiatives.
- You know the legal status of works council members under Austrian employment law. You correctly negotiate works agreements. You cooperate with the works council in a legally correct manner in relation to more sensitive matters, such as disciplinary codes.
- The training equips you to protect your own as well as your works council’s rights. You learn how to avoid formal errors and accelerate required agreements.
Zielgruppe
- CEOs
- Staff with personnel responsibilities
- Managers
Seminarinhalte
Day 1
Position of the works council in your company
- Release from duties and entitlement to educational leave
- Obligation of discretion and confidentiality
- Prohibition of discrimination and preferential treatment
- Protection against termination and dismissal
Important participation rights
- Inspection and right of scrutiny
- Information and consultation rights
- Participation rights in relation to personnel matters, e.g.:
- hiring of employees
- personnel relocation
- mutual termination agreement
- wrongful termination and dismissal claims
- Role of the works council in relation to operating changes, restructuring initiatives, and personnel reductions
- Limits of co-determination
Works agreements Part 1
- What can be regulated in works agreements?
- Dealing with works agreements (incl. privacy law regulations)
- Which measures require a works agreement?
- Common pitfalls and examples: video surveillance, gliding working time agreements
Day 2
Works agreements Part 2
- Enforceable, voluntary, and free works agreement
- Tips for the conclusion of works agreements
- Termination of works agreements
Constructive Cooperation
- Contact point for the employer: Chairman of the works council
- Effective negotiations: compromises and protection of one’s rights
- Dealing with conflicts and labour disputes
Additional value: Practical tips and current case law
TIP: Our pre-seminar survey gives you the chance to direct specific questions to the lecturer in advance of the training. Mag. Erwin Fuchs will address your questions during the seminar.
Referenten

Tätigkeit
Mag. Erwin Fuchs ist selbstständiger Rechtsanwalt bei Sabadello.Legal. Er ist v.a. in den Bereichen Arbeitsrecht und Datenschutz tätig. Als Vortragender gibt er sein Wissen zu Themen des Arbeitsrechts mit Schwerpunkt Betriebsrat, Arbeitszeitmodelle und Change Management im Arbeitsrecht weiter.
Lebenslauf
Das Studium der Rechtswissenschaften hat er an der Universität Wien absolviert. Von 2011 bis 2016 war er Legal Counsel bei der ManpowerGroup.
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Professional activity and biographical information
Mag. Erwin Fuchs is an independent attorney at Sabadello.Legal. He specializes in employment law and data privacy law. In his capacity as a lecturer, he is committed to sharing his expertise in employment law – with a focus on works councils, working time models, and change management in relation to employment law. He holds a law degree from the University of Vienna. From 2011 to 2016, he served as legal counsel at ManpowerGroup.