Industrial relations - Information, consultation and co-determination

Overview

The concept of industrial relations (also known as "labour relations") relates to employer-employee relations when employees are represented by an employee representative body, such as a trade union (also known as "labour unions") or works council, and the employer must negotiate with the relevant body or bodies regarding issues that affect employees, such as pay, working conditions and health and safety, and may be required to inform and consult with employees prior to taking key decisions. Where disputes are not resolved, employees may have the right to take industrial action, depending on the applicable legal framework.

In this guide, we explore what the obligation to inform, consult or co-determine with employees and/or their representatives entails. We also look at the common pitfalls multinational employers need to be aware of when engaging with employees and what to consider when thinking about strategy in this area.

Other guides on industrial relations are:

• Industrial relations - Global strategy
• Industrial relations - Employee representation
• Industrial relations - Collective bargaining and collective agreements
• Industrial relations - Industrial action and collective disputes