A new chapter for European industrial relations at Clariane
How can we build a common Europe-wide project while remaining as close as possible to the realities on the ground? At Clariane, this ambition is reflected in an ongoing dialogue with employee representatives to help create more inclusive governance. Backed unanimously by its members and with the support of the European Public Service Union (EPSU), the Group has renewed the agreement governing its European Company Works Council (ECWC) for a further four-year period. This latest step reaffirms the desire to shape the Group’s major transformations through dialogue and participation.
Bringing industrial relations to life across Europe
Created in 2022 following Korian’s transformation into a European company, the European Company Works Council brings together employee representatives from the six countries in which Clariane operates.
Clariane is currently the only European group in its sector to have such a body. As a forum for dialogue, the ECWC offers an opportunity to share the realities on the ground, discuss the Group’s major transformations and build shared responses to the challenges employees face across countries.
This dialogue also allows the ECWC to identify common issues, share field experiences and enrich the Group’s practices at a European level.
When dialogue drives action
Over its first term, the ECWC gradually became a place for cooperation between employee representatives, management and Clariane’s six countries. The discussions it has hosted have helped share experiences on the ground, compare practices and build common approaches on several crucial issues.
This momentum led, in particular, to the establishment of a European framework for social dialogue, better training for managers, the development of a European guide to preventing absenteeism, the conclusion of an agreement on health and safety at work and the adoption of a common charter for carbon emissions reductions.
Beyond these achievements, this cooperation helps to spread a common culture of dialogue and to bring about solutions built on on-the-ground realities, benefiting both employees and the people we care for.
Anticipating changing roles together
Renewing the agreement opens up a new phase of European cooperation. Work will include developing a European protocol for occupational health and safety onboarding as well as creating a joint working group on artificial intelligence and its impacts on organisations and roles.
In addition to advising stakeholders and the mission committee, the ECWC contributes to a more open, more participatory governance approach in which employee feedback drives reflections on the Group’s major developments.
Because the care and support professions are constantly evolving, Clariane firmly believes that the most relevant solutions will be built together. By continuing to hold Europe-wide dialogue, the Group strengthens a governance approach based on listening, participation and sharing experiences to best support employees and, through them, residents, patients and their loved ones.
