Do you employ around 50 people or more in Belgium (either directly or via a subsidiary)?

If so, in 2016 you might have to organize elections for a safety committee (required when businesses employ 50 people or more). When 100 people or more are employed, elections for a works council must be organized as well.

In advance of the 2016 elections, by law headcount calculations are taken in calendar year 2015 to determine if the 50+/100+ threshold is met. Special arrangements apply to deal with part-time employees and those who start/leave during the year.

If you have operations in Belgium, you should analyse your headcount situation now so that you can better understand your obligations in 2016 (and, in some cases, potentially avoid having to establish a safety committee or works council by accidentally hitting the 50+/100 threshold).