noun
works council, employee representative body
B1
Betriebsrat (der): the works council or employee representative body elected by staff to represent employees' interests. Masculine noun; plural Betriebsräte (note umlaut and -e). Genitive singular des Betriebsrats (-s); dative plural den Betriebsräten. Important institution in German labor law and workplace consultations.
Examples
Der Betriebsrat verhandelt mit der Geschäftsführung über die Arbeitsbedingungen.
The works council negotiates with management over working conditions.
Der Betriebsrat vertritt die Interessen der Arbeitnehmer.
The works council represents the interests of the employees.
Die Belegschaft wählte den Betriebsrat, obwohl einige Stimmen dagegen gewesen waren.
The workforce elected the works council, although some votes had been against it.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a council table inside a factory (Betrieb) with a sign 'Betriebsrat' on the door
Sounds like 'betrieb' (company) + 'srat' ~ imagine 'rat' meaning council in English
der — think 'der Rat' (the council) to remember it's masculine
Notes
A Betriebsrat represents employees in a company; many German workplaces with enough staff have one. Do not confuse with 'Betrieb' (company) alone.