The Role of Temporary Layoffs in Austria. An Update

To smooth out short-term seasonal and non-seasonal fluctuations in labour demand, many companies lay off workers during periods of low demand and rehire the same workers when demand picks up. This practice, known as "temporary layoffs", results in labour costs being shifted to the public, as many of the affected individuals are registered as unemployed and receive unemployment insurance benefits during the interruption in employment. Building on previous analyses, this project examines the relevance of this personnel strategy in Austria, its structure and development over time, as well as the enterprises and employees affected.