Rules for short-time work renewed – Coronavirus Vienna

New rules for short-time work are needed by the close of November. These are reportedly due to be announced today after the social partners met with Labor Minister Christine Aschbacher. Finance Minister Gernot Blümel and Chamber of Commerce head Harald Mahrer (all ÖVP) showed a positive agreement on Saturday. Something similar was heard from worker representatives on Sunday. There are already new rules for the home office.

In the case of part-time work, it should be established that employees do not have to work 30 percent, as currently regulated, but only 10 percent, as in the spring. Since the calculation period is longer than one month, employees can stay home in November. Businesses that close in November can use reduced-time work – revenue replacement only flows if no one is laid off.

When working from home, in view of the currently rapidly increasing number of infections, it was decided with the Minister of Labor Aschbacher (ÖVP), in agreement with the social partners, that the flat rate allowance for travelers, which was originally limited to The end of the year, and the extension of the accident insurance law at the head office will run until March 2021. In itself, the social partners are working on a new concept for working from home, but that is still underway.

“The ability to work from home has become increasingly important in recent months. This allows valuable employees to keep working while on the go or from home. That is why I support all measures that help people and entrepreneurs to continue working in these difficult times to keep the business cycle alive, “Finance Minister Gernot Blümel (ÖVP) said of the extensions.

The short-term regulations for Corona’s head office include three main points: accident insurance protection for employees, suburban subsidy as an allowance for additional expenses for employees, and scientifically-backed organizational guidance, according to a transmission from the Ministry of I work on Sunday.

“We will give two guidelines in the coming weeks. On the one hand, on the topic” Ergonomics at work in the home office “, as this is recommended under the respective methods. On the other hand, a guide to the rules of the game for the home office and mobile work. The new situation demands new solutions. Both guidelines should be available as practical support for companies and employees, “says Aschbacher.

“That is why we have reached an agreement, in close coordination with the social partners, both on the extension of the suburban subsidy and on the continuation of the accident insurance coverage in the Ministry of the Interior,” stressed the Minister of Labor. “Both are central measures that allow us to design the home office in the best possible way for the benefit of employees and companies.”

As a result of the extension, the employer can still award the commute allowance for the same amount even if the employees do not cover the distance between home and work due to short-term work or home office.

“It is also particularly important to me that employees feel safe while working in the home office. Therefore, it is necessary that we can continue to cover accident insurance for employees in the home office,” says Aschbacher.

Social Affairs Minister Rudi Anschober (Greens): “Planned support measures are an important component to socially secure the head office. To take decisive action against the coronavirus, we have to restrict physical contact. Even a third less social contacts reduce the risk of infection by 50 percent. Therefore, the home office, if possible, is an essential step in the coming weeks. “

Both measures were originally limited to December 31, 2020. The social partners continue to work on a sustainable regulation of the home office.

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