Aufsicht

Aufsicht is a German noun meaning supervision or oversight. It refers to the act of watching over people, processes, or activities to ensure safety, compliance, and proper conduct. The term can denote informal monitoring as well as formal authority exercised by a person or institution.

In corporate governance, Aufsicht is used in the sense of supervisory oversight. Germany and other German-speaking countries employ a two-tier board system in which a management board (Vorstand) is overseen by a supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat). The Aufsichtsrat monitors management, approves major decisions, and may appoint or dismiss executives. In regulatory contexts, Aufsicht describes the activity of supervisory authorities, such as the BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) for financial services, or health and safety inspectors who enforce rules.

In legal terms, Aufsicht also appears in phrases such as Aufsichtspflicht, the duty of care to supervise dependents or wards. Parents, guardians, or educators have a duty to supervise children and students to prevent harm. Failure to fulfill Aufsichtspflicht can lead to liability or disciplinary action in civil or administrative law.

In everyday use, Aufsicht encompasses supervision during work, study breaks, or fieldwork and is often contrasted with executive or managerial functions. The word thus covers both the act of supervising and the institutions or authorities that perform oversight, reflecting its central role in safety, governance, and accountability.