Erwin
Lotterman

Hans
van der Knaap

In our RESPECT sustainability strategy, the ‘P’ stands for People, the human side of sustainability. The Paardekooper Works Council is an important part of this. On the one hand, the Works Council has a stimulating role in safeguarding the organisation’s sustainability strategy. On the other, the Works Council has a ‘duty of care’ task when it comes to our people. Or as Hans van der Knaap, chairman of the Works Council, states: ‘Caring for people also means caring for the company.’

Future

The guys look back on an intensive and educational process for them as Works Council members. Erwin: ‘And we’re not there yet, in fact, this is only just beginning. Now the processes have to be adapted to the new organisation by the people. The pillars of transparency and togetherness are not only important here, but also a binding condition. As a Works Council, we will continue to work towards this.’

Together

The Works Council has been committed to the social plan in recent months. Erwin says about this: ‘Although the road was challenging at times, we achieved a strong result together. We worked together, not against each other. With external support, the Works Council and management jointly designed and optimised the reorganisation plans.’

Caring for people

‘Clarity is essential here,’ Erwin emphasises again. ‘Especially when it comes to employee well-being. It creates uncertainty. Clarity about the why, how and where we are going is incredibly important. Answering questions and removing uncertainties was one of our most important tasks in the past period.’ 

‘But also: paying genuine attention to each other and expressing appreciation for each other,’ Hans adds. ‘A pat on the back every now and then, for example, can be very valuable.’

Guaranteed sustainability

An important step in ensuring sustainability within the organisation is creating support. According to Works Council member Erwin Lotterman, you can achieve this through transparent communication. ‘Sustainable development is corporate policy. To make a success of policy, whatever form it takes, a connection is required between employees and the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT). As a Works Council we ensure this connection is strong. We pass on information from the shop floor to the directors, and vice versa; we involve employees in the objectives of the organisation in such a way that it is clear to everyone in order to create a shared understanding. We achieve sustainability together. We have a meeting with the directors once every six weeks. The Works Council members meet each other more often. We always try to organise these meetings as sustainably as possible, with a view to minimising logistical movements.’

A good balance

‘The added value of transparent communication has also proven itself during the reorganisation.’ says Hans. ‘The reorganisation plan includes provisions and guidelines to go about things carefully and keep the people in mind in terms of the difficult issues that arise during such a reorganisation. In the meantime, work continues ‘as usual’. It was a huge challenge, but I think we managed to maintain a good balance between business interests, employee well-being and sustainable development.’