News from the works councils

COR NWO and GOR NWO-I together 

New members in COR NWO and GOR NWO-I

In recent months, a significant number of institute-level works councils have held elections. As membership of COR NWO and GOR NWO-I is linked to participation in these local councils, we have had to bid farewell to several COR and GOR members. This also affects the division of roles within both COR NWO and GOR NWO-I. In the next edition of Inside (September), we will introduce the new Executive Boards (consisting of a chair, deputy chair, secretary and administrative secretary). To find out who represents your institute or organisational unit in the COR NWO and GOR NWO-I, please visit the web page about the COR NWO and the GOR NWO-I.

Discussion on the direction of the organisation

On 10 April, the Executive Board representative met with COR NWO and GOR NWO-I for the 'Discussion of General Affairs' (AGvZ). This biannual meeting is required by law and is intended to ensure that employee participation remains closely involved in the organisation's strategic policy. The Executive Board representative outlines the organisation's future direction and gives an indication of upcoming decisions relevant to the councils. COR NWO and GOR NWO-I hold this AGvZ meeting jointly, as the same delegation attends on behalf of the Executive Board representative. In addition, one of these meetings is typically attended by all or part of the NWO Supervisory Board.
The most recent meeting did not include the NWO Supervisory Board, but they will be present for the next AGvZ meeting on 27 October.

What did the Executive Board representative, COR NWO and GOR NWO-I discuss on 10 April?

The financial situation and potential implications of budget cuts for NWO and its institutes: 

1. The financial situation and potential implications of budget cuts for NWO and its institutes.
2. The NWO Strategy 2023 - 2026, including the adjustment of ambition 14: the goal for the organisation to be climate-neutral by 2030 has been pushed back to 2050. According to the Executive Board representative, the 2030 target is no longer realistic. Nonetheless, much is already being done in the area of sustainability.
3. Cybersecurity and awareness initiatives within NWO-I.
4. The updated calendar of topics to be included on the agendas for meetings with COR NWO or GOR NWO-I.

COR NWO

Implementation Regulations (UVR)

The current implementation regulations (UVR) are in place until the end of 2025. Negotiations for the new UVR will begin in the autumnstart this autumn, and COR NWO is already preparing. On 17 June, members attended a training session on negotiation skills and on designing the optimal process for reaching a new UVR. These UVR negotiations are an intensive process for the COR representatives involved.  

GOR NWO-I 

HFML-FELIX

As of 1 January 2025, HFML-FELIX is the tenth NWO Institute. It was agreed with the Executive Board representative that the GOR NWO-I would advise on the appointment of the new HFML-FELIX director. Since HFML-FELIX did not yet have its own works council, an agreement was made with the works council of Radboud University (which HFML-FELIX was part of before 1 January) to proceed via this route. A delegation from GOR NWO-I and the Radboud University works council held an introductory meeting with the preferred candidate for the director’s position. The GOR NWO-I has since responded positively to the proposed appointment.    

In the pipeline  

The GOR NWO-I has received two requests for consent: one relating to a leadership development programme for NWO-I, and the other to the procurement and use of a learning management system within NWO-I. Both requests were discussed in the consultation meeting on 16 June 2025. The GOR NWO-I aims to provide its response before the summer recess. 

Hybrid working

The foundations for remote working were laid during the 2020/2021 coronavirus pandemic. Even after the pandemic, remote work continues to be part of working at NWO-I. When the GOR NWO-I approved a pilot scheme for hybrid working at the end of 2021, it was agreed that the scheme would be evaluated and formalised into permanent policy. The evaluation has now been completed, and the GOR NWO-I was asked to approve the policy implementation and framework. After a final revision of the texts, which clarified, among other things, that for any supplementary rules at the local level (always within the scope of the regulation), the local works council must be consulted, the GOR NWO-I, approved the policy and the framework.