Définition
In companies with 50 or more employees, the head of the company is required to establish a works council made up of representatives elected by the employees (titulars and substitutes) and possibly one or more union representatives chosen by the unions. The head of the company (or his representative) serves as president of the council. This committee is entrusted with economic, social and cultural responsibilities and is provided with the necessary materials and financial means to acquit these duties. In companies with less than 50 employees, a works council can be established by convention or collective agreement between the employer and the trade unions .
From 1993 to 17 August 2015, in companies with fewer than 200 employees (workforce assessed in line with the provisions of the Labour Code), the employer could opt instead for a Single Staff Delegation, grouping the works council and employee delegates. The Law No. 2015-994 of 17 August 2015 on the social dialogue and employment raises the maximum number to set up a Single Staff Delegation from 199 employees to 299 ; Works Councils, employee delegates, committees on hygiene, safety and working conditions can be grouped by decision of the employer within a Single Employee Delegation. Companies with a Single Staff Delegation (previous configuration) on the day of entry into force of the law can keep this body for two more election cycles. Since August 17, 2015, companies exceeding the threshold of 300 employees can partially or completely group bodies through a majority agreement.