The Sectoral Structure and Temporal Dynamics of Temporary Layoffs

Temporary layoff plays a relevant role in the whole of Austria, but especially in Carinthia, Burgenland, Styria, and Salzburg, the least in Vienna. It is most prevalent in construction and tourism. In these typical seasonal industries, this personnel strategy is used by many firms to compensate for sector-specific seasonal fluctuations in labour demand. Temporary layoffs are, however, not only a seasonal phenomenon. They are used in all sectors, also as a means of flexibly adjusting the stock of labour to short cyclical variations in labour demand.