Ethik-Richtlinien im Arbeitsverhältnis

This paper addresses the different questions associated with the integration of ethical guidelines pertaining to labour law within the company. In addition to the different reasons why companies may be encouraged to introduce ethical guidelines, it examines the typical regulatory contents of such guidelines in the employment relationship as well as possible deployment techniques. In addition, one focus of the study is on the rights of co-determination of the works council according to § 87 par. 1 No. 1 of the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG) regarding the introduction of ethical guidelines. On the basis of this analysis, the study addresses the introduction and company co-determination of three selected, and in practice very important, regulations in the employment relationship. This relates to regulations on the acceptance of gifts and other benefits, requirements concerning personal relationships between employees and so-called whistle blowing.