Under the European Works Council, workers must be consulted when large corporate changes may occur, like a layoff. Which statement best captures this requirement?

• A. To protect management's unilateral decision-making rights.
• B. When large corporate changes may occur, such as layoffs.
• C. Only during financial audits.
• D. Only at the annual general meeting.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that workers’ representatives have a right to be informed and consulted when significant cross-border changes could affect employees. This obligation kicks in when large corporate changes may occur, such as layoffs, because such actions can have widespread effects across sites and countries. That’s why the statement that best captures the requirement is that consultation happens when large corporate changes may occur, such as layoffs. It reflects the European Works Council’s role in facilitating dialogue about major organizational changes rather than enabling unilateral management decisions, being limited to audits, or occurring only at an annual meeting.