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Delivering the goods? German industrial relations institutions during the COVID‐19 crisis

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  • Martin Behrens
  • Andreas Pekarek

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused labor market disruptions at an unprecedented scale and is akin to a stress test for industrial relations institutions. Drawing on a large‐scale (n = 6111) study of German employees, we empirically investigate whether and how the two institutions comprising Germany's dual system of employee representation—works councils and collective bargaining—have delivered on their protective potential and mitigated the impact of the pandemic on workers. We demonstrate that employees in representative environments fare better on a range of protective outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Behrens & Andreas Pekarek, 2023. "Delivering the goods? German industrial relations institutions during the COVID‐19 crisis," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 126-144, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indres:v:62:y:2023:i:2:p:126-144
    DOI: 10.1111/irel.12319
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Uwe Jirjahn & Thi Xuan Thu Le, 2024. "Political spillovers of workplace democracy in Germany," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 5-31, March.
    2. Gregor Murray & Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau & Christian Lévesque & Nicolas Roby, 2023. "What makes work better or worse? An analytical framework," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(3), pages 305-322, August.

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