Anhörung
In English: Works council hearing
The company must hear the Betriebsrat before every single dismissal and give it one week to respond. A dismissal without a proper hearing is invalid.
Legal basis
BetrVG §102. Checked against the statute text on 12 November 2026.
Related terms
Open the simulator See Anhörung in action: work through a layoff case where it decides the outcome.
This page explains German employment law in general terms. It is not legal advice for your situation. If a layoff affects you, talk to an employment lawyer, your union or your Betriebsrat.