Interview with Bernd Schneider, EWC chairman at Freudenberg

Question: How did the initiative of the healthmapping at Freundenberg come into existence?

Schneider: We were with three colleagues at a mapping seminar and we found the idea – especially the direct articulation of the employees’ groups – very attractive and then tried it in our company. To our surprise we then received a price for the best idea in occupational health and safety, as worldwide the best practice in the Freundenberg group. This has spurred us on to use it for the international work and to make it a topic for the EWC.

Question: How does the EWC work on the healthmapping?

Schneider: We train operational workers' representatives to mappingtrainer in all European countries which have employee representations. We have begun with the EWC members and representatives who become multipliers in their respective countries. This is financed among others through our EWC budget which the employer makes available.

With the management of the partial group seal and vibration technology we are negotiating a memorandum at the moment to design the conditions of the mapping and the training steps Europe-wide uniformly. A sort of steering committee with participation of the employer also shall be formed.

We carry out two trainings for the EWC every year where we want to introduce the healthmapping again and again. And the EWC regularly informs the workers' representatives about it in its newsletter in all countries.

Question: Which role do the external advisers play?

Schneider: They train the mappingtrainer, accompany the project in the start phase or also in case of appearing difficulties and they will collaborate in the steering committee.

Question: What can other European works councils learn from it?

Schneider: We experience quite practically how different cultures in Europe can work on common topics and projects constructively. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to intensify the cooperation in the EWC and between single countries. So German works councils drive to the Netherlands, to France or Austria, Swedish colleagues drive to the North of England, etc. This direct exchange isn't only fun, but also leads to a better networking locally – even without the institution EWC. This is a great advantage for everyone.


Bernd Schneider is a chairman the EWC of Freudenberg and a works council member in the factory of seal and vibration technology in the parent plant in Weinheim. He is a member of the trade union IG BCE.


Bernd Schneider was interviewed by Werner Altmeyer on December 19th, 2007.