Guide · GPS / telematics

Works agreement for GPS & telematics

GPS and telematics systems capture location, driving times and driving behaviour and enable close monitoring. This guide neutrally explains what a works agreement regulates and the role of the conciliation committee.

Why are GPS and telematics systems subject to co-determination?

Telematics and tracking systems are technical installations capable of monitoring conduct and performance and thus subject to co-determination under Section 87(1) no. 6 BetrVG. In addition, the requirements of the GDPR and employee data protection apply. If no agreement is reached, the conciliation committee decides within what is legally permissible.

What is regulated

Typical content

  • Permissible tracking purposes
  • Captured data (location, driving times, driving behaviour)
  • Evaluations & reports
  • Off- and private-trip times
  • Retention & deletion
  • Access rights
  • Exclusion of pure performance and behaviour monitoring
The committee's role

If no agreement is reached

As chair, I reconcile the legitimate operational interests – such as dispatching and safety – with the employees' personality protection into a balanced, legally sound arrangement.

This page provides neutral information on the legal situation. As chair of a conciliation committee I represent neither side – I guide employer and works council jointly to a balanced, legally sound arrangement.
FAQ

Briefly answered

It is subject to co-determination (Section 87(1) no. 6 BetrVG) and limited by data-protection law. It is permissible only for legitimate purposes and to a proportionate extent; continuous behaviour and performance monitoring is generally excluded.

Where private use is permitted, an arrangement typically provides off- or private-trip times during which no tracking takes place.

A conciliation committee on GPS / telematics?

As a neutral chair I reconcile operational interests and personality protection into a legally sound arrangement – across Germany.