Being a staff representative in Luxembourg

Understanding the role of the employee representative within the company

The employee representative plays an essential role in the smooth functioning of social dialogue in Luxembourg. Empathetic, attentive, and strategic, the representative acts as a guide and liaison between employees and management. More than just a representative, they provide genuine human and legal support in times of tension or misunderstanding.

The ideal representative: a combination of listening skills and discernment

According to Roberto Mendolia, president of Aleba, the ideal representative is "an altruistic and empathetic person, capable of listening without judgment." They do not replace professionals (lawyers, psychologists, etc.), but guide employees toward the right resources. They act as a first responder for psychological and administrative issues.

A role of support, not intervention

The representative does not replace professionals. They diagnose and understand the issues, but leave the technical resolution to those with the expertise. "They must not take up the scalpel, i.e., intervene directly, at the risk of doing more harm than good," explains Roberto Mendolia.

Essential ongoing training

The "delegate package"

Each new delegate receives a basic documentation kit. But reading the law is not enough: interpretation and, above all, application in specific cases are often complex. Hence the importance of continuing education.

Thematic and multilingual training

Aleba regularly organizes training courses on a variety of topics: labor law, collective agreements, mental first aid, health, taxation of cross-border workers, etc. All courses are available in French, German, and English.

Real-life cases to understand the subtleties

The application of laws can reveal ambiguous situations: legal rest periods not respected during on-call duty, access to a polling station in large structures, etc. These situations require reflection and ingenuity.

The daily challenges faced by delegates

A sometimes uncomfortable position

The representative remains an employee of the company, which they may have to challenge, including in court. This can create significant tension, especially since complaints must be filed on an individual basis, as there is no collective action in Luxembourg.

Loneliness in small organizations

In large companies, delegates can support each other. In SMEs, the loneliness of the delegate, who is sometimes not affiliated to a union, makes the role more complex. Hence Aleba's call to join a union.

The annual delegates' day: building relationships and sharing

A major annual meeting

Every year, Aleba organizes a gathering day. The aim is to enable representatives to meet, discuss their practices, and create synergies. "Talking about it puts things back in their place," explains Roberto Mendolia.

The presence of partners

ALEBAs partners (experts, service providers) offer concrete benefits to members and enable the organization to finance its activities. Delegates can thus discover new services that are useful to their employees.

Aleba, a union undergoing transformation

From banking to all sectors

Historically established in the banking sector, Aleba is gradually expanding into healthcare, industry, transport, and telecommunications. Its hands-on model is convincing beyond the world of finance.

Growing recognition

In 2024, Aleba presented 82 candidates for social elections, compared to the usual 16. It also won a seat in Group 5, a first. The Aleba method, based on field experience, is gaining traction.

A social issue: coverage by collective agreement

A gap to be filled

Currently, only 50 to 60% of Luxembourg employees are covered by a collective agreement. The European Union recommends a rate of 80%. Aleba is campaigning for reform in this direction.

Abusive circumventions

Some companies exclude employees from the agreement by appointing them as "senior executives" without any real justification. This abuse distorts statistics and deprives employees of essential protections.

Key points to remember

• A good representative is above all an empathetic, attentive, and trained mentor.
• They do not replace experts but refer people to them: they are a link, not a judge.
• Continuing education is essential to deal with the complexity of labor law.
• Union support is crucial, especially for delegates who are isolated or under pressure.
• Collective agreements must be extended to provide better protection for employees.
• The annual day on September 25 is a key moment for strengthening the network of representatives.

The role of representative is a strong commitment to serving others, which requires support, training, and solidarity. It is an essential link in the well-being at work and smooth running of Luxembourg companies.