Social dialogue, works councils and collective bargaining

Whether a company is undertaking a reorganisation, adapting working practices, introducing new remuneration policies, managing workplace risks or deploying digital tools, every transformation project requires a carefully planned social dialogue strategy. 

The quality of information shared with employee representatives, the effectiveness of consultation processes and the consistency of communications are critical not only to legal compliance but also to employee engagement and successful implementation. 

Our lawyers advise clients throughout the lifecycle of collective employment relations, including the establishment and operation of works councils, employee representative elections, mandatory consultation procedures, expert appointments, employee representative mandates and trade union relations. 

Working alongside management, legal and HR teams, we develop strategies tailored to the company's objectives, culture and employee relations environment, helping to secure decisions and facilitate their implementation.

We assist clients in negotiating company and group-wide collective agreements covering key business topics such as working time, remuneration and profit-sharing, gender equality, quality of working life, employment, mobility, skills management and organisational change. 

Before negotiations begin, we identify available options, potential obstacles and the provisions most likely to determine the effectiveness of the agreement. During negotiations, we help companies maintain a clear and legally robust position aligned with their operational and economic objectives. 

Where tensions arise, our litigation experience provides immediate strategic insight. Collective disputes, industrial action, alleged failures to consult, election challenges, disputes relating to representative mandates, expert appointments or the validity of collective agreements require swift assessment and decisive action. 

We rapidly evaluate the company's legal exposure, organise the evidential framework and identify the most effective dispute-resolution strategy. The combination of advisory, negotiation and litigation expertise allows us to minimise disruption and maintain business continuity. 

Our role goes beyond validating procedures. We help clients understand the issues at stake, prioritise risks and structure decision-making, negotiation and communication processes. Management teams benefit from clear recommendations, practical scenarios and identified decision points, enabling them to move forward confidently while maintaining constructive social dialogue. 

Our approach is tailored to the legal, operational and social context of each matter. Together with management, legal and HR teams, we define objectives, governance structures, timelines and deliverables before mapping risks and negotiating opportunities. 

Depending on the level of maturity of the social dialogue and the nature of the project, we may intervene at a strategic stage, support internal teams or manage the entire process. In all cases, our advice is designed to be practical and immediately actionable. 

Our Key Services:

• Employee relations audits: reviewing employee relations practices and assessing legal, operational and timetable-related risks; 
• Consultation and negotiation strategy: designing consultation and negotiation strategies, preparing alternative scenarios and anticipating potential objections; 
• Collective documentation: drafting and negotiating collective agreements, consultation materials, briefing notes and documentation for employee representative bodies; 
• Support during consultations and negotiations: assisting during meetings with trade unions, employee representatives, public authorities and appointed experts; 
• Collective disputes and litigation: managing collective disputes and representing companies before the competent courts, working closely with CMS specialists in corporate, tax, data protection and international matters where required. 

We place particular emphasis on responsiveness, availability and clarity of advice. Our recommendations are designed to be understood and implemented by in-house teams without sacrificing the technical accuracy required for sensitive decisions. 

This combination of legal expertise, practical insight and business understanding enables our clients to address immediate challenges while strengthening long-term employee relations and social dialogue frameworks.