Works Council
A body representing employees in information and consultation with the employer.
A works council is a representative body through which employees are informed and consulted about matters affecting them, such as business changes, restructuring and employment conditions. It is a formal channel for employee voice, common across much of continental Europe.
In Ireland, obligations arise mainly under the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act, which can require employers above a threshold size to establish information and consultation arrangements at employee request. For multinationals, European Works Councils operate at pan-European level.
Where works councils or equivalent bodies exist, employers must engage with them genuinely on relevant decisions, particularly around collective redundancies and transfers. Constructive engagement reduces conflict and supports smoother change.
