An employee need not raise a concern alone.
An employee who feels disadvantaged or unfairly treated at work has a right to complain under section 84. A works-council member can help explain the concern or mediate between those involved. The employee must not suffer disadvantages for making the complaint.
Section 85 also describes how the works council handles complaints. If it considers a complaint justified, it seeks a remedy from the employer. This is a specific support function; it does not mean the council automatically decides every legal dispute with binding force.
The other three answers
Similar words describe different functions here.
the company auditor
A business auditor examines business matters, for example in tax or social-insurance audits. This is not the elected employee representative body.
the company group
“Company group” is not an alternative name for the statutory works council. The question seeks the specific representative body.
the company management
Company management leads and organises the business on the employer’s side. It is not the works council, even though the two communicate and negotiate.
A works council is elected; a company’s existence alone does not create one.
The Works Constitution Act sets conditions for electing a council. The word “company” therefore does not establish that a council actually exists in every workplace. The exam question explains the function of such representation.
A workplace complaint and enforcing a claim in court are different routes. Speaking with the works council does not automatically replace necessary legal steps or deadlines. The appropriate route must be established for the particular problem.
Section 84 · Right to complain · Works Constitution Act ↗Works council: employee support and representation.
Associate the works council with employees and management with running the business.
Three words for this question
- der Betriebsratworks council
- An elected body representing employees at a workplace.
- die Vermittlungmediation
- Helping clarify differing positions and seek a solution.
- die Abhilferemedy
- A measure intended to resolve a justified concern.