New OR Community established at Leiden Bio Science Park 

The Leiden Bio Science Park promotes innovation and collaboration through employee well-being, workplace dynamics, and international talent management initiatives. These efforts aim to empower businesses and professionals with insights and strategies for growth.

The newly established OR Community (ondernemingsraad, English: Works Council) will organize thematic events, creating networking opportunities for knowledge exchange and sharing relevant updates and trends regarding employee participation. By focusing on various themes, we aim to create a thriving, knowledgeable OR Community that can serve as a strong partner to businesses and succeed in involving employees in decision-making processes.

This initiative reflects the aim to contribute to the following goals.

Creating strong networks and knowledge exchange between ORs

Building OR (ondernemingsraad) Community of Works Council representatives will contribute to improving workplace policies and practices at companies at the Leiden Bio Science Park, setting a good cooperation standard. Discussing relevant topics such as, but not limited to, AI ethics, privacy, and employee conduct are essential for shaping a collaborative and ethical work environment. These discussions enable businesses to address evolving challenges and foster better cooperation between employees and employers, benefiting individuals and the broader organizational ecosystem. By staying up to date with the most recent trends and best practices, ORs can increase their credibility and act as valid partners with the organization’s leadership team. 

Involving employees in decision-making processes

Employee Participation strengthens workplace engagement and aligns business goals with employee interests. Understanding the benefits and challenges of this approach can lead to more inclusive and dynamic organizations. Employee well-being is central to productivity and organizational success. Addressing critical aspects such as but not limited to remote work, housing, and pension planning can significantly impact employee satisfaction and efficiency. As a result, more effective negotiation with the employer can be achieved, and the most beneficial compromises suitable for both parties can be found while respecting national and international laws. Eventually, strategic and social policies are shaped to benefit both the employee participation body and the employer. In that case, it will facilitate the growth and health of the ecosystem at Leiden Bio Science Park.

Supporting International Talent and Employee Participation

The Leiden Bio Science Park emphasizes the importance of integrating international talent into the workforce while promoting their participation in business decision-making. Providing resources and removing barriers for international employees to contribute can enhance talent retention and organizational performance.

The establishment of this Community was initiated by Natalia Vtyurina & Annemarth Hiebendaal. OR / works council representatives are welcome to join or reach out for more information.

The OR Community will host its next event on May 22nd from 15:30-18:30.

You can find more information here