Just finalised the training with NXP Semiconductor’s works council: recently elected, well organised and highly motivated. And with an interesting mix of fresh blood & valuable experience, female and male members, different ages and both Dutch and non-Dutch members.
More and more non-Dutch employees start to participate in works councils. This helps to better reflect the work force in the composition of the works council.
In many companies with such a mixed workforce the language is English. And gradually more and more works councils begin to use English as their working language as well. Or they communicate both in Dutch and English.
Not every Dutch employee is fluent in English, but if people put effort in understanding each other, it will work. I am now working on a small works council dictionary to assist Dutch members in using the right English words and non-Dutch member in knowing about typical Dutch works council words.
Over the years I have developed a lot of training material in English: presentations, hand outs, laminated cards and exercises. And still expanding this set. In my book ‘Impact’ a full chapter on Dutch works councils is in English.
Last year, I have done 6 more day training sessions in English for works councils and 1 for an EWC, as well as a few consultancy jobs in English. This was with companies in IT and high tech, agriculture, meteorology and retail. It is a challenge to work with a multicultural team, and moreover it is also fun listening to all these accents by Dutch, German, French, Eastern-European, Asian, African and other members.
Interested to know more? Please contact me on wigboldus@consultraining.nl