The drastic slump in economic output in the spring of 2020 put the labour market under severe pressure. As an immediate response to the crisis, many countries have used short-time work schemes to limit the social costs of the crisis by stabilising employment.
It is shown that short-time work regulations in Austria are comparatively generous. Moreover, the use of short-time work is
relatively widespread in Austria. In the course of a foreseeable economic recovery, there are opportunities to adapt short-time
work instruments. Phase models can be used for this purpose, as can a differentiation of short-time work according to the
type and extent of the crisis.
