If you are thinking about working in Austria, or have already gotten the job you dreamed of in the country, you are probably wondering how Austrian labor laws work. What are your rights as an employee and your employer's duties? How do working hours, vacations and salary payments work? It's normal for everything to seem a little confusing at first, but don't worry, Austria's employment laws are extremely well structured and easy to understand.
Contract and Remuneration
The employment contract in Austria contains all the rights and obligations of employees and employers. Your employment contract must be clear about your salary and the number of hours of work expected. The employer is obliged to pay the employee's stipulated salary, while the employee is responsible for carrying out the agreed services. Some contracts also stipulate a trial period of up to one month, called Probezeit . During the period, you and your employer can terminate the contract without notice. Some contracts also specify a minimum period that defines how long you must work for your employer before the contract is terminated. The notice period that the employer must notify the employee is six weeks.
As for remuneration, in Austria employees receive 14 salaries per year. This means you receive a double salary twice a year. Social security contributions (including unemployment insurance and health insurance) as well as payroll taxes are shared by you and your employer.
Working Hours and Overtime
In Austria, a working day of 8 hours per day, or 40 hours per week, is permitted by law. The intervals are provided for by law. If you work more than 6 hours a day, you are entitled to a half-hour break. If necessary, this break can be divided into two breaks of 15 minutes each or three breaks of 10 minutes each.
If there is a greater need for work, 20 hours of overtime per week are allowed, which must be agreed with the employer. The daily working hours cannot exceed 12 hours, and the weekly working hours cannot exceed 60 hours, including overtime. Provisions for payment of overtime, holidays and weekends vary according to each contract.
Vacation
Did you know that employees in Austria have one of the most generous vacation deals in the world? This is because, according to Austrian labor law, workers are entitled to 5 weeks of paid vacation per year worked. It is also prohibited to make agreements exchanging your vacation for money while you are in a valid employment relationship. If you leave the company, however, unused vacation time must be paid out at the end of the contract.
The working year begins the day you join the company and, in your first 6 months, your vacation entitlement increases according to your time with the company. But be careful: you can't take the 5 weeks off right away. After 2 weeks, you will be entitled to 1 working day of vacation.
Holidays
In addition to holidays, in Austria there are 13 paid holidays every year. However, it is important to remember that being in the gastronomy and hotel sectors, you will probably have to work on these dates - but don't worry, in addition to being informed in advance, there is extra compensation for hours worked during holidays, or on a free day at the end of the year. month, which must be agreed and registered with your employer.
Medical Leave
Although these are unwanted events, sometimes we need to take time off work for health reasons. In Austria, all workers have the right to paid sick leave in the event of illness or injury, and they also have the right to receive full pay for up to six weeks. If, during your employment, you become ill or injured, inform your employer as soon as possible. Then go to the doctor, get your certificate (Krankenstandsbestätigung) and send it to the company as soon as possible.
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