Staff councils are a statutory component of every public employer, like the works council in the private sector. In compliance with laws and regulations, collective agreements and other provisions that grant employees rights, staff councils work closely and in a spirit of trust with the respective department to fulfil the tasks of the service and for the benefit of the employees. In order to exercise employees' rights, staff councils are given certain rights of co-determination and participation under the Brandenburg Staff Representation Act (PersVG).