Job market
What do current studies show about the impact of telework on the Austrian labor market?
- Telework
- Skill shortage
- Working hours

Telework extends working hours and exacerbates the shortage of skilled workers, as studies show. These trends influence recruiting strategies in Austria.
Extension of Working Hours through Flexible Models
A recent study by Bettina Stadler (2024), based on Austrian data, shows that flexible and boundaryless working hours often lead to longer work hours. Employers should focus on maintaining a balanced work-life balance to prevent employee overload.
Home Office: Impact on Parents
The study by Pauliks, Schunck, and Lott (2023) illustrates that home office affects parents' working hours differently. While many fathers extend their working hours, mothers often use the flexibility to better manage family duties.
Macroeconomic Conditions and the Labor Market
Forecasts from the AMS Research Network suggest that macroeconomic factors will influence the Austrian labor market in 2023/2024. Industry-specific trends and regional differences play a significant role.
Shortage of Skilled Workers Worsens
Despite a slight decline, the shortage of skilled workers in Austria remains high. The ibw research report (2023) shows that 82% of companies are affected, significantly complicating the recruitment of qualified personnel.
Methodology and Limitations of the Studies
The various studies are based on representative samples from Austria and provide valuable insights for personnel policy. However, they are limited by specific contexts and periods. Adaptations of local strategies are necessary to effectively apply the findings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flexibility through telework leads to longer working hours, especially for employees with boundaryless models.
Yes, fathers tend to extend their working hours in the home office, while mothers use it to better balance work and family.
The ongoing shortage of skilled workers complicates the filling of positions and affects 82% of Austrian companies.
International economic downturns and high price levels affect the Austrian market, leading to slower employment growth.
This post was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Sources
- The fewer boundaries, the longer? The effect of employer-side flexible and boundaryless working hours on weekly working hours | Journal of Labor Science | Springer Nature
- Impact of Home Office Access on Working Hours of Mothers and Fathers | KZfSS Cologne Journal of Sociology and Social Psychology | Springer Nature Link
- AMS Research Network - Employment and Unemployment for the Period 2023/2024
- Labor Market 2023 in the Wake of Economic Downturn - WIFO
- Labor Market and Qualification Needs » ibw - Institute for Educational Research of the Economy
The mentioned numbers are from the respective cited studies (as of 2024/2025). We summarize them to the best of our knowledge; for details and methodology, please refer to the linked original sources.
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