Austria and Germany Outline Workers' Vacation Rights

In Austria, labour law confirms that employees have no legal obligation to be reachable during their vacation. A recent survey shows that 45 % of workers regularly check work e‑mail while on leave, and one‑quarter are willing to be contactable in emergencies, especially those with personnel responsibilities. The Austrian Workers' Chamber stresses that vacation is for physical and mental recovery, and any employer‑driven interruption must be compensated for costs such as cancellation fees.

In Germany, the statutory vacation entitlement for minijob workers is the same as for full‑time employees under the Federal Vacation Act. The minimum is 24 working days per year for a six‑day week, with entitlement calculated based on the number of days worked each week. After a six‑month qualifying period, pay for vacation days is based on the average earnings of the preceding 13 weeks. Additional vacation may be granted by collective agreements, contracts, or employer policy.