Short-time Work in Comparison

The drastic slump in economic output in the spring of 2020 put the labour market under severe pressure. As an immediate response to the crisis, many countries have used short-time work schemes to limit the social costs of the crisis by stabilising employment.

It is shown that short-time work regulations in Austria are comparatively generous. Moreover, the use of short-time work is relatively widespread in Austria. In the course of a foreseeable economic recovery, there are opportunities to adapt short-time work instruments. Phase models can be used for this purpose, as can a differentiation of short-time work according to the type and extent of the crisis.