Trained wocos are strong wocos

Since this year, IG Metall Berlin has been collaborating with Betriebsräte Bildung Berlin-Brandenburg-Sachsen. The offer is diverse: works council basics, labor law or business administration. We offer many of our seminars in English.

Union official Eileen Müller of IG Metall Berlin explains how it works. “Once an interesting seminar has been sighted in our educational program, a resolution is passed by the works council. The decision is then submitted to the employer, who confirms that the costs will be covered. Works council members have a right to further training, which must be financed by the employer. We recommend to attend regular training programs to meet the challenges of transformation and fast-moving times."

Book your training online

At Betriebsräte Bildung BBS you can easily book seminars directly online. Betriebsräte Bildung BBS is also happy to organize seminars tailored to your team and company. There is always something to do in preparation for the works council elections in the coming year.

"The training program PDF contains an interactive function. Anyone wishing to book can see directly how many places are still available and how much it costs. Works council members who are interested in seminars can therefore book directly. We also offer in-house seminars that are specially tailored to the works council team. These include strategy meetings and more. Just get in touch! We bring our concentrated IG Metall knowledge to the table", Eileen Müller adds.

Your right to educational leave

All employees working in Berlin have a legal right to educational leave. Anyone who wants to take part in recognized seminars - such as those offered here - to further their professional or political development will be released from work. The employer continues to pay the remuneration for this time.¹ 

The employer must be informed informally and preferably in writing as early as possible, at least six weeks before the time off.

The employer does not have to approve the educational leave and can only refuse it in a few exceptional cases. Employees alone decide which seminar that is recognized as educational leave they would like to attend. The employer has no influence on the choice of seminar. Employees must not suffer any disadvantages as a result of taking educational leave.

If the employer rejects the application for educational leave, the works council and IG Metall Berlin (resp. your union) should be informed.

[1] In the case of trainees, the entitlement is limited to further political training. The entitlement includes ten days in two consecutive calendar years for all employees over the age of 25. Anyone under the age of 25 is even entitled to ten days of educational leave every year.