Set up a successful Works Council program
Works Councils or Unions are an essential partner when implementing an employee survey program. In some countries, gaining Works Council agreement before deploying new technology is a legal requirement, so plan ahead. While every organization has a unique proposition to present to their Works Council, there are some themes that you can start focusing on now.
Tips to get started
When it comes to partnering with your Works Council, advanced preparation is key.
| Tip # | Tip | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start the dialogue early. | Works Council meetings can often be planned months in advance, and approval can take a long time. Get it on the agenda as soon as possible. |
| 2 | Find out what’s on the minds of your Works Council members. | Get an idea of what questions to expect, what issues worry your members, and learn what things they're already comfortable with. |
| 3 | Offer to join your Works Council’s meetings to provide support. | Written materials are often sufficient, but sometimes a personal touch signals that there's nothing to hide and sets a good atmosphere of support. |
| 4 | Treat your Works Council as another stakeholder in the process. | Works Council is interested in employees’ opinions, should be receptive to the concept of employee engagement surveys, and ensure they're well executed. |
| 5 | Find out what approvals are needed, by when, and by whom. | Sometimes there are limited windows for approval from your Works Council. Know how to navigate the necessary approval. |
Questions you might hear
Commonly asked questions from Works Councils:
| Question # | Question | Answer tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Do you and your third-party providers demonstrate compliance with GDPR and local implementing law? | Explain the overarching data security and privacy strategy. |
| 2 | How do you and your third-party providers protect your data? | Explain and ensure the confidentiality, availability, and security of your data. |
| 3 | How do you and your third-party providers store your data? | Provide information on privacy - what is stored, where, and for how long. |
| 4 | How do you control access to your data? | Explain access rights and access controls (manager/employee access, passwords, SSO, etc.). |
| 5 | What system audits and certifications do you and your third-party providers have? | Show evidence of an industry-standard audit (likely an annual SOC 2 Type II) and various Privacy-Shield certifications. |
Facts about Viva Glint and Works Councils
When it comes to Works Councils, every organization has a unique situation. Prepare to set yourself up for the best possible outcome—and Viva Glint can help you.
| Fact # | Fact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viva Glint’s platform is designed to demonstrate compliance with GDPR and local implementing law. | Viva Glint operates fully within all local, national, and international laws. |
| 2 | Viva Glint gives employees a voice. | Represent your employees best interests by aligning with your Works Council’s purpose. |
| 3 | Viva Glint has Works Council expertise. | We have a dedicated team with extensive experience to help answer Works Council questions. |
| 4 | Viva Glint has reached over 10 million employees around the globe. | Viva Glint serves multinational companies with headquarters and satellite offices and worksites around the world. |
| 5 | Viva Glint wants to help make the program a success as much as your Works Council does. | Our mission is achieved when we help our customers establish a positive relationship with their Works Council. |
Learn more
Get Microsoft's tips for partnering with your Works Councils