Gesamtbetriebsräte

Gesamtbetriebsräte are cross-site works councils in Germany that represent employees across several establishments within a single enterprise. They coordinate the activities of the individual Betriebsräte and serve as a central point of contact between management and the workforce at multiple locations. Their work focuses on issues that affect more than one site and on aligning local practices with the enterprise’s overall interests.

The Gesamtbetriebsrat is governed by the Betriebsverfassungsgesetz (BetrVG). It is formed in enterprises with multiple establishments where a single central representation is needed for cross-site matters. Its members are typically elected from among the existing Betriebsräte or appointed from their ranks, and the body operates for the duration of the corresponding Betriebsrats term. The GBR may appoint chairpersons and form committees to handle specific topics.

Tasks and rights of the Gesamtbetriebsrat include information, consultation, and co-determination in matters affecting the entire enterprise or several establishments. It facilitates negotiations and agreements that span multiple locations, coordinates social and personnel measures, and ensures consistency in the application of workforce policies across sites. The GBR works in cooperation with the individual Betriebsräte and the management, and its involvement complements local representation rather than replacing it.

In relation to other structures, the Gesamtbetriebsrat is distinct from the Konzernbetriebsrat, which operates at group level across multiple enterprises in a corporate group, and from the individual Betriebsräte at each location. The GBR thus functions as a bridge between site-specific representation and enterprise-wide decision-making.