Every German company with more than 500 employees is required to have 1/3 of board members elected by the employees. Above 2000 employees it's 1/2. For these, and smaller companies as well, there are more requirements to allow participation in the decision-making process "on the ground".

It's hard to measure the effects, but it's generally thought to have at least lead to less-bitter labor conflicts, because there's constant communication between the parties.