Career
Employment Reference in Austria: How to Properly Read a Dienstzeugnis
- Certificate of Employment
- Austria
- Career
- Certificate of Employment
- Labor Law
A correctly formulated employment reference is crucial for your professional future. Therefore, employees should carefully review their references and seek legal advice if unclear.
The Importance of the Employment Reference in Austria
The employment reference is an essential document in Austrian labor law, issued when a work relationship ends. It serves as proof of employment and assists employees in future job applications.
Types of Employment References
In Austria, there are two main types of employment references: the simple and the qualified employment reference. Both types contain basic information, but differ regarding the evaluations included.
- **Simple Employment Reference**: Basic details about the person, employer, duration, and type of activity.
- **Qualified Employment Reference**: Additionally includes an assessment of work performance and behavior upon request.
Note
A qualified employment reference requires an explicit request and a cooperative employer.
Important Points When Reading an Employment Reference
When receiving an employment reference, certain aspects should be particularly considered to avoid misunderstandings or negative impacts on your career development.
- **Prohibition of Negative Wording**: No remark should hinder career development.
- **Recognizing Secret Codes**: Phrases like 'always tried' can potentially be negative.
- **Right to Correction**: Corrections can be requested for incorrect wording.
Further Aspects of the Employment Reference
In addition to the basic form of the reference document, there are other specific aspects employees should note to fully exercise their rights.
- **Interim Reference**: Can be requested during employment without affecting the entitlement to a final reference.
- **Statute of Limitations**: The entitlement to the reference expires after 30 years, but timely requesting is advisable.
Tip
An interim reference can be valuable to get an assessment of current performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is the simple and the qualified employment reference. The former contains basic information, while the latter also includes performance evaluations upon request.
There is a right to correct incorrect or inadmissible wording, which can be enforced legally if necessary.
The entitlement expires after 30 years, but the reference should be requested promptly after the end of the employment relationship.
Yes, the so-called interim reference can be requested during an ongoing employment relationship.
This post was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Sources
This article provides an overview to the best of our knowledge (as of July 2026) and does not replace legal advice. Binding information on labor law and collective agreements is provided by the Chamber of Labor and the relevant union.
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