During works council elections, De Horecabond provides support and information on organising the elections and the rights of works council members. Discover how to build a strong employee representation
How many works council members are there per number of employees?
| 50-100 employees | 5 members |
| 100-200 employees | 7 members |
| 200-400 employees | 9 members |
| 400-600 employees | 11 members |
| 600-1000 employees | 13 members |
| 1000-2000 employees | 15 members |
For every additional 1,000 employees, two more works council members are added, up to a maximum of 25 members.
Term of office
The works council is elected for a period of three years. After this, the works council members step down together and can be re-elected immediately. However, it is also possible to appoint the works council for two or four years or to have half of the members step down every two years. This must be specified in the regulations. Additionally, the works council can set restrictions on re-election.
Organising elections
It is important to start the elections in good time. In the model timetable, you will find exactly which steps to take and when.
The (provisional) regulations arrange the election procedure. The regulations usually include:
- how the elections are organised;
- the nomination procedure;
- the method of voting: for example, written or digital voting
- the determination of the result;
- provisions for filling interim vacancies;
- a complaints procedure.
In our brochure 'Organising works council elections' you can read more about how the election procedure works and what requirements it must meet.
Candidacy
For the elections, candidate lists can be submitted by unions that have members in the company, and employees who are not members of a union or are members of a union that has not put forward candidates.
Inform De Horecabond in good time
If there are works council elections in your company, De Horecabond would like to be informed in good time, so that we can invite our members to stand as candidates through us. You can send an invitation to secretariaat@dehorecabond.nl. If you have any questions, simply contact us.
Eligible to vote vs. Eligible to stand
Employees elect the works council from their own colleagues. To be able to vote and stand as a candidate, employees must have been employed for at least three months. For temporary workers, a longer period of 18 months applies to gain voting rights and be eligible to stand. These periods can be adjusted in the works council's regulations.