Austria 2025 – Health and Employability. Status Quo and Perspectives for Reform

For many members of the labour force, especially unemployed and older workers, health impairments are a major barrier to their integration in the labour market. Given the need to prolong the years in work and ever increasing demands for flexibility, the importance that health plays in workers' employability will continue to increase. In order to meet this challenge, Austria needs an effective overall strategy to foster employability and to handle individuals' health impairments. An analysis of the current situation in the light of international experience points at the need for action, especially with regard to improving early intervention, strengthening coordination between stakeholders and programs, and putting more emphasis on involving employers and physicians in prevention and reintegration.