DE
Works councils

Co-determination. In every language of the group.

Works meeting, EWC plenary or works-agreement negotiation — we carry your co-determination safely into English and back.

Overview

Co-determination is legally regulated, politically sensitive and linguistically demanding. We have interpreted for works councils, group works councils, European Works Councils and the employer side in the Rhine-Main region for over 25 years.

Why we fit this format

BetrVG- and EWC-solid

BetrVG, EWC Act, SE Participation Act, collective bargaining and social-partner topics — familiar terrain.

Multilingual across Europe

EWC plenaries with booths and colleagues from our European network.

Balanced in tone

We interpret for the works council and the employer side — neutral and respectful.

Confidentiality

NDAs, secure document channels and professional secrecy are a given.

How it works

  1. 1 · Setup

    Format & languages

    We align on format (WC, GWC, EWC, meeting), languages and equipment.

  2. 2 · Preparation

    Agenda & glossary

    Review of agenda items, works agreements and materials. Maintenance of the co-determination glossary.

  3. 3 · Live

    Interpreting

    Session, meeting or negotiation — simultaneous, consecutive or RSI.

Typical formats

  • Works council and group works council meetings
  • European Works Council (EWC) and SE works council
  • Works meetings and staff assemblies
  • Negotiations on works agreements
  • Restructuring and reconciliation-of-interests talks
  • Trainings and workshops for works-council bodies
Case study
European Works Council · industrial group · 6 countries

EWC plenary in six languages on a restructuring

Situation

An industrial group announced a cross-border restructuring. The European Works Council met over two days with representatives from DE, EN, FR, IT, ES and PL — emotionally charged and legally sensitive.

Approach

Six booths staffed with colleagues from our European network, a shared co-determination glossary, and wording alignment with the EWC chair and Chief HR Officer before the meeting.

Outcome

Both sides felt heard, the consultation was formally clean, and no interpretation disputes made it into the minutes. The team now covers every EWC session.

Explore further

Related formats, sectors and background on Klemke Languages.

FAQ

Do you interpret works meetings and works council sessions?
Yes. We interpret works meetings, works council and group works council sessions, European Works Councils (EWC/SE-WC) and negotiations on works agreements.
Are you familiar with the German BetrVG and the EWC Directive?
Yes. We are at home in the German Works Constitution Act (BetrVG), the EWC Act, the SE Participation Act, as well as collective bargaining, co-determination and compliance topics.
Can you cover multilingual EWC plenaries?
Yes. We organise multilingual EWC meetings with booths and colleagues from our European network and maintain a shared glossary.
How is confidentiality secured?
Professional secrecy, project-specific NDAs and — where relevant — voluntary undertakings to committees, plus secure document channels.
How quickly do I get a binding quote?
Usually within one business day — often faster. We need the date, location, languages, format (on-site, hybrid or RSI) and rough attendee count; a quote with team, equipment and terms follows immediately.
How much lead time do you need?
Six to eight weeks is ideal for complex multi-language formats. Short-notice requests are possible — for live M&A processes, ad-hoc disclosures or unplanned meetings we hold capacity flexibly.
Which languages do you cover?
German-English is delivered directly by our Frankfurt team. Through our European and international network of colleagues we also cover French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Chinese, Japanese and more.
Do you also handle conference technology?
Yes. We work with experienced technical partners in Frankfurt and nationwide — booths, tour-guide systems, RSI platforms and streaming from a single source. You get one quote covering interpreting and equipment consistently.
What does conference interpreting cost?
Cost depends on languages, format, assignment length, preparation effort and equipment. You receive a transparent fixed-price quote covering team, preparation, equipment and expenses — no surprises.
How is confidentiality ensured?
All interpreters are bound by statutory professional secrecy. In addition, we sign project-specific NDAs, use secure document channels and respect insider-list and compliance requirements.
Get in touch

Next EWC meeting or works assembly?

Send us the format and languages — we build a team that carries your co-determination.

Request a quote
Frankfurt office
Klemke Language Services
Senckenberganlage 10-12 · 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Hessen · DE
E · info@klemke-languages.de

Assignments across the Rhine-Main region (Frankfurt, Offenbach, Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt), throughout Germany and internationally. Walking distance to Messe Frankfurt, the financial district and Frankfurt central station. More about us: Portrait Jacqueline Klemke.

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