# Austrian labor trends and working conditions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-labor-trends-and-working-conditions
> Updated: 2026-09-10T14:36:40.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

Recent labor data from Austria highlights shifting trends in employee health and working conditions. Statistics from 2025 indicate that the average duration of a single sick leave reached a historic low of 9.1 days, a significant decrease from 18.6 days in 1965. While the total number of sick days per employee decreased slightly to 14.7 days, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) warned of a ‘deceptive relaxation,’ and the Chamber of Labour (AK) noted that staff shortages may force employees to work while ill.

Full-time employees work an average of 40.7 hours per week, exceeding the EU average. In 2025, an estimated 45.9 million hours of overtime went unpaid or uncompensated, representing a loss of over 2.5 billion euros for workers. Research indicates that long hours significantly impact safety: concentration levels decrease after eight hours, the risk of injury triples after the twelfth hour, and those working over 64 hours per week face an 88 percent higher risk of accidents compared to a 40-hour week. AK President Renate Anderl has argued that the statutory 40-hour standard is outdated and does not reflect increased productivity.

In response to rising work intensity, the ÖGB has launched an initiative calling for six weeks of paid annual leave for all employees. While Austrian law has guaranteed five weeks of leave since 1983, a sixth week is typically reserved for those with 25 years of service. The ÖGB argues this requirement is difficult to meet in a modern workforce and that workers should benefit from technological productivity through increased recovery time.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Austria: Union pushes for six weeks of paid annual leave

The Austrian Trade Union Federation is campaigning for six weeks of paid annual leave for all workers, citing the need for better health and work-life balance.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austria-union-pushes-for-six-weeks-of-paid-annual-leave

### 2026-09-08: Austria labor data shows high working hours and unpaid overtime

Austrian full-time employees work an average of 40.7 hours per week, exceeding the EU average. Labor advocates are calling for shorter hours due to health risks and unpaid overtime totaling 2.5 billion euros.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/attnang-puchheim-parking-system-error-results-in-excessive-fine

### 2026-08-13: Austria reports record low average sick leave duration

The average duration of sick leave in Austria has hit a record low of 9.1 days in 2025, though total annual sick days per employee stand at 14.7. Labor and business groups offer conflicting views on the trend.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austria-reports-record-low-average-sick-leave-duration

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Cite as: Austrian labor trends and working conditions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-labor-trends-and-working-conditions