Ask your employer to set up a European Works Council
After you've made your request
The Brexit transition period has ended and new rules on participating in a European Works Council now apply. This page is currently out of date.
After your request for a European Works Council (EWC) is accepted, your employer must set up a special negotiating body (SNB). The SNB will discuss how the EWC will be set up and run with the central management. The time limit for negotiations is 3 years.
The SNB must:
- have at least one member from each of the countries where the business has a site
- be set up within 6 months from when the request for an EWC was accepted
If there’s an agreement
You’ll get a written agreement for either:
- an EWC
- one or more alternative information and consultation arrangements
If an agreement is not made
The SNB can only end negotiations or decide not to open negotiations after a ballot has been held and a two-thirds majority reached. You’ll have to wait 2 years to make a new application.