In the Netherlands, there has been a Works Councils Act for more than 50 years - since 1971 - ( the WOR ). Every company with more than 50 employees is required to have a works council. This involves staff participation in various aspects of business operations.

This Act describes various issues concerning the OR phenomenon (works council). For example, setting up an OR, the composition and working method, the consultation, the rights and powers.

On behalf of the staff, the Works Council thinks along with the policy of the organization (the company). As mentioned, there is an entire law dedicated to this phenomenon of participation, the Works Councils Act (the WOR).

In terms of content, the Works Council is concerned with (the implementation of) regulations concerning, in particular, personnel policy. In addition, the Works Council is a valuable interlocutor for the management of the organization. In the OR context, he is not called director, but director.

According to the law, there are several points where the director - that's what we just call him here - must consult the Works Council. So-called advisory law applies to a number of points, whereby the Works Council must be asked for advice. At other points, information law applies. In addition, the director gives certain things to the Works Council. This is important, among other things, to be able to properly assess other issues. In addition, there are also policy decisions that the Works Council must agree to. If the Works Council does not do that, such a decision is formally not legally valid.