Works Council

In 2020, the Works Council drew particular attention to the wellbeing of staff, professional management and the social responsibility of the Safety Board as an organization.

A proactive Works Council

In 2020, the Works Council more actively involved the staff in preparations for the consultation session with the Secretary Director. As a result, the Works Council was able to submit more clearly argued positions, and join the Secretary Director in establishing a more broadly supported development programme for the organization.

Points for attention in 2020

In 2020, the Works Council focused considerable attention on and issued recommendations about the wellbeing of staff, professional management and the social responsibility of the Safety Board as an organization. The Works Council held several formal discussion sessions with the Secretary Director. Subjects discussed by the Works Council and the Secretary Director included an elaboration of the attention points from the Preventive Medical Examination/Employee Survey, the elaboration of the working conditions policy, the staff formation and the (re-)occupation of positions as a result of staff departures, the absenteeism figures, organization changes and capacity management. The Works Council also expressed its concerns about the limited progress in the structural coverage of the financial resources of the Safety Board.

The Works Council also joined the Secretary Director on two occasions in attending training aimed at delivering a positive contribution to the further development of the organization with regard to the Works Council’s spearhead diversity and inclusivity.

COVID-19 crisis and consequences for the organization and staff

The COVID-19 crisis was of course an important subject of discussion within the Works Council. The COVID-19 crisis has affected the organization, operations, investigations and the wellbeing of staff within the Dutch Safety Board. Both Works Council and Secretary Director joined forces as far as possible in limiting the adverse impact of the crisis both for the work of the Safety Board and for the performance of staff. In a series of (in)formal meetings, the Works Council issued recommendations and contributed ideas on the measures to be taken and the possible effects of proposed decisions. Specific subjects of discussion were: monitoring and managing the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the wellbeing of the staff, improving facilities for staff working from home (work environment, IT equipment, tools for remote meetings and maintaining ties with the organization and one another), increasing awareness of a ‘health and safety-proof’ home office and the COVID-19 roadmap for the Safety Board.