QandR connects

Bernard Jan de Groot from consultancy firm De Beuk recently facilitated an off-site day for the Board of Directors and the Works Council of a mental healthcare organisation. During the morning programme, a QANDR session took centre stage, focusing on employee participation and collaboration.

The session brought board members and works council representatives together in an interactive dialogue on the Dutch Works Councils Act, roles and responsibilities, and the day-to-day practice of cooperation within the organisation. Through statements, knowledge questions and joint reflection moments, it became clear where perspectives aligned — and where they differed.

Participants explored topics such as information, advisory and consent rights, as well as broader, more strategic themes like mutual interests and expectations. The QandR format ensured that everyone was actively involved and that complex or sensitive issues could be discussed openly and constructively. The results of the session showed that there is a solid level of knowledge, but also that interpretations sometimes vary. These differences formed a valuable starting point for meaningful conversations and new insights.

According to Bernard Jan, the interactive approach clearly added value for the group:

Working with QandR made my presentation nicely varied, with statements, knowledge sheets and brainstorming moments. That kept everyone engaged throughout the entire morning and led to strong conversations and valuable insights.

The QandR session contributed to a shared understanding of employee participation and helped strengthen the collaboration between the Board of Directors and the Works Council. It provided a solid foundation for the remainder of the off-site day — and for continued cooperation within the organisation's day-to-day practice.