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The logo of the Social Research Centre Dortmund
Department of Social Sciences
Studierende sitzt am Arbeitsplatz und schaut auf den Laptop. © Aliona Kardash​/​TU Dortmund
The ServiceDO Works Council visits the Social Research Centre

Workshop "Co-determination 0.0": Values in the world of work and democracy in the workplace and society

Photo: Eleven people are seated at tables arranged in a rectangle in a conference room. © sfs
Participants in the workshop seminar “Co-determination 0.0”
What fundamental values play a role in the world of work? How can democracy be made tangible in everyday life and in the workplace? How can works councils strengthen the appreciation and meaningfulness of work within the company? What contribution can they make to ensuring that democratic principles such as equality and justice are embedded in everyday interactions? In a workshop seminar led by Dr Peter Ittermann, Dr Tobias Wienzek and Jens Maylandt, the works council of ServiceDO gGmbH – the service company of Dortmund Hospital – explored these issues through their various roles as employees, citizens and representatives of employee interests. The seminar concept is the result of a project funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation, "Simple Work and Co-determination", which is being carried out at the Social Research Centre of TU Dortmund University

Even jobs that require little or no recognised professional qualifications are essential to the functioning of society. This can be seen, for example, in clinics and hospitals, where service companies ensure hygienically clean rooms and operating theatres, fresh linen, meals tailored to patients’ needs, and smooth internal logistics. It is often precisely in these organisations that co-determination structures addressing employees’ concerns are lacking. Consequently, employees turn away from democratic institutions when they suffer from poor working conditions at work and have no opportunities for participation. 

The project “Unskilled Work and Co-determination”, funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation under its Transformation funding programme and carried out by the Dortmund Social Research Centre in cooperation with ver.di Westphalia and the works council of ServiceDO gGmbH, develops strategies for works councils in the unskilled labour sector to improve working conditions and create opportunities for experiencing democracy.

Photo: Four people are sitting together in a circle © sfs
Practical exercise as part of the seminar