Chapter V: Operation

The conditions under which the social and economic committee operates must ensure that the interests of employees working outside the company or in dispersed units are effectively taken into account.

The provisions of this chapter do not preclude more favourable provisions relating to the operation or powers of the social and economic committee resulting from collective labour agreements or practices.

Members of the social and economic committee staff delegation are bound by professional secrecy in all matters relating to manufacturing processes. Members of the social and economic committee staff delegation and union representatives are bound by an obligation of discretion with regard to information of a confidential nature and presented as such by the employer.

The use of videoconferencing to convene meetings of the social and economic committee may be authorised by agreement between the employer and the elected members of the committee’s staff delegation. In the absence of an agreement, such use is limited to three meetings per calendar year. A decree determines the conditions under which the social and economic committee may, in this context, hold a secret ballot.

Where it has a statutory right of access to the registers mentioned in Article L. 8113-4, the Social and Economic Committee is consulted prior to the introduction of an alternative medium under the conditions set out in that same article.

In establishments with one or more installations subject to authorisation underArticle L. 512-1 of the Environment Code or subject to the provisions of Articles L. 211-2 and L. 211-3, Titles II to VII and Chapter II of Title VIII of Book II of the Mining Code, the documents drawn up for the public authorities responsible for environmental protection are brought to the attention of the Social and Economic Committee by…