die  Betriebsvereinbarung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈtʁiːpsfɛɐ̯ˌʔaɪnˌʔaʁʊŋ/

📜 What exactly is a Betriebsvereinbarung?

A Betriebsvereinbarung (often abbreviated as BV) is a written contract concluded between the employer (der Arbeitgeber) and the works council (der Betriebsrat) of a company in Germany. It regulates rights and obligations for the employees (die Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer) of the establishment on specific topics.

Key points:

• It applies to all employees of the establishment (or defined groups), even if they are not union members.
• It often governs topics such as working hours (Arbeitszeiten), vacation rules (Urlaubsregelungen), technical monitoring equipment (technische Überwachungseinrichtungen), social benefits (Sozialleistungen), conduct in the workplace (Ordnungsverhalten), etc.
• It has an effect similar to a law or a collective bargaining agreement (Tarifvertrag) within the specific establishment.
• The primary legal basis is found in the Works Constitution Act (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz - BetrVG), especially § 77 BetrVG.

⚠️ A Betriebsvereinbarung is not a Tarifvertrag (collective agreement, negotiated between trade unions and employers' associations or individual employers) and also not an individual employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Betriebsvereinbarung

The word "Betriebsvereinbarung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Betriebsrat hat eine neue Betriebsvereinbarung zur mobilen Arbeit ausgehandelt.
   (The works council has negotiated a new works agreement regarding mobile work.)
2. Die Regelungen in der Betriebsvereinbarung sind für alle Mitarbeiter bindend.
   (The regulations in the works agreement are binding for all employees.)
3. Wir müssen uns mit der Betriebsvereinbarung zum Datenschutz vertraut machen.
   (We need to familiarize ourselves with the works agreement on data protection.)
4. Der Arbeitgeber kündigte mehrere alte Betriebsvereinbarungen.
   (The employer terminated several old works agreements.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term "Betriebsvereinbarung" is used almost exclusively in the context of German labor law (Arbeitsrecht) and co-determination (Mitbestimmung) within a company.

• Typical Situations: Negotiations between the works council (Betriebsrat) and management (Geschäftsführung), announcements of new company rules, discussions about employee rights and duties.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish the Betriebsvereinbarung from the Tarifvertrag (collective agreement, which regulates industry-wide or company-wide standards, often negotiated by unions) and the Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract, which governs the individual relationship between employer and employee). A Betriebsvereinbarung can specify or supplement provisions from collective agreements but generally cannot worsen them for the employee (principle of favourability - Günstigkeitsprinzip).
• Form: It must always be in writing (schriftlich) and signed by both parties (employer and works council).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Aid (die): Think of 'the' agreement or 'the' arrangement. Many words related to agreements or rules in German are feminine, ending in -ung, like Vereinbarung. So, it's die Betriebsvereinbarung.

Meaning Aid: Imagine the Betriebsrat (works council) sitting down with the boss (Chef) to make a Vereinbarung (agreement) specifically for that Betrieb (company/establishment). It's an agreement for the specific workplace.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but Different Terms

• Gesamtbetriebsvereinbarung: Applies to multiple establishments of one company, agreed between the central works council (Gesamtbetriebsrat) and the employer.
• Konzernbetriebsvereinbarung: Applies to an entire corporate group, agreed between the group works council (Konzernbetriebsrat) and group management.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der neue Mitarbeiter den erfahrenen Kollegen: "Was steht eigentlich genau in der Betriebsvereinbarung zur Kaffeepause?"

Antwortet der Kollege: "Hauptsächlich, dass man während des Lesens der Betriebsvereinbarung eine Pause machen darf."

--- Translation ---

The new employee asks the experienced colleague: "What exactly does the works agreement say about the coffee break?"

The colleague replies: "Mainly, that you're allowed to take a break while reading the works agreement."

✍️ A Poem about the Betriebsvereinbarung

Im Betrieb, da braucht's Struktur und Plan,
damit die Arbeit gut gelingen kann.
Der Chef, der Rat, sie sitzen dann,
und schmieden einen neuen Pakt sodann.

Die Betriebsvereinbarung, schwarz auf weiß,
regelt Urlaub, Pausen, manchen Preis.
Für alle gilt sie, laut und leis',
im Arbeitsleben oft der goldne Gleis.

--- Translation ---

In the workplace, structure and plan are due,
so that the work can see us through.
The boss, the council, sit anew,
and forge a pact, both fresh and true.

The works agreement, black on white,
rules holidays, breaks, and sets things right.
For everyone it shines its light,
in working life, a guiding sight.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich werde zwischen Chef und Rat gemacht,
hab auf die Regeln im Betrieb Acht.
Ich bin kein Gesetz, doch bindend sehr,
für alle Mitarbeiter – bitte sehr!

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I am made between the boss and council true,
I watch the rules within the company's view.
I'm not a law, but binding nonetheless,
For all employees - I must confess!

What am I?

Solution: die Betriebsvereinbarung (the works agreement)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word "Betriebsvereinbarung" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Der Betrieb (company, establishment, plant) - Genitive form is des Betriebs, leading to the connecting -s- -> Betriebs-
• Die Vereinbarung (agreement, arrangement)

So, it literally means an "establishment agreement".

Legal Significance: Betriebsvereinbarungen are a central instrument of workplace co-determination (betriebliche Mitbestimmung) in Germany. They allow the works council (Betriebsrat) to co-shape working conditions in the interest of the workforce.