Learn more about our Values
at thyssenkrupp
Co-determination
Working together: thyssenkrupp cooperates professionally with all stakeholders in its environment. In particular when it comes to protecting our own workforce and the issue of co-determination.
Respect shapes Collaboration
At thyssenkrupp it goes without saying that we listen to others, allow opinions and respect them. We maintain an open and respectful dialogue - with colleagues, employee representatives, unions, customers, investors and competitors. This is reflected, for example, in our International Framework Agreement. This is an agreement concluded by thyssenkrupp AG, the European works council, the Group Works Council, IG Metall and the world federation of industrial unions "IndustriALL Global Union" in 2015. The agreement includes principles
on good occupational health and safety.
on opportunities for professional and personal development.
the right to adequate remuneration.
the prohibition of child labor and forced labor.
prohibition of discrimination of any kind.
A special feature is that we monitor and follow up the worldwide implementation of the agreement: thyssenkrupp has created a dedicated contact point where suspected violations can be reported. In addition, an international committee involving the Group Works Council, European Works Council and trade union has been set up with the task of intervening and developing solutions in the event of violations or disputes.
Two levels of co-determination
In general, close cooperation based on trust with employee representatives is characteristic of thyssenkrupp. In this context it is important to know that employee co-determination in Germany is governed by the Works Constitution Act. At thyssenkrupp this is implemented at two levels:
In the businesses of thyssenkrupp (business level), the interests of employees are represented by the local works councils or central works councils.
At the level of the corporate group (Group level) we maintain an active social partnership with the Group Works Council (KBR).
In addition, we exchange views on various topics with the respective specialist committees of the KBR and jointly draw up works agreements and guidelines that affect entire thyssenkrupp.
Under the terms of corporate co-determination, the interests of employees are represented on the Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp AG in accordance with the statutory provisions by the representation of ten employees (including one person representing senior executives). This means that the employee representatives make up half the members of the Supervisory Board. The other ten members are representatives of the stockholders.
European Works Council (EWC)
The European Works Council (EWC) is the body for social dialogue and the representation of employees' interests at European level. On the basis of the "Agreement on European Dialogue and the Information and Consultation of Employees in the European Group Companies", we inform the EWC in advance of significant operational changes, provided they have a transnational dimension. Members of the Executive Board regularly attend EWC meetings and are available for explanations and discussions.
In addition to the requirements of the Works Constitution Act, we have set up works council working groups at segment level, whose members are regularly informed about segment-specific issues.
Working time – an important element for the protection of employees
In the thyssenkrupp Code of Conduct and in the International Framework Agreement, thyssenkrupp has undertaken to comply with national legislation and minimum human rights standards – also with regard to the organization of working hours for employees worldwide.
Working time at thyssenkrupp is regulated locally, based on national laws and collective agreements along with operational requirements – operating a steel mill requires other working time regulations than, for example, planning and building a hydrogen production facility.
At thyssenkrupp, working time is associated with more than just presence and absence at the workplace: Flexible time management for a better work-life balance or for manage workload on the shop floor – working time models based on flextime or part-time are established at thyssenkrupp. In addition, the flexible and fair organization of working time is an ongoing process. Examples of this are the expansion of home office work and the associated hybrid working, the closely related trust-based working time, or the alignment of working hours in the electrical and metal industry in eastern and western Germany.
Around 65% of all thyssenkrupp companies are subject to collective agreements (collective bargaining agreements, company agreements or similar) which lead to an improvement in working conditions compared with the respective national statutory standard – also with regard to working time. At the remaining 35% of thyssenkrupp companies, we also ensure compliance with legal standards internally via human resources management or compliance. If thyssenkrupp companies operate in countries, which have no statutory minimum standards on working hours, compliance with the ILO Core Labor Standards is ensured via the International Framework Agreement.