Austria: Contracts of employment

Original and updating author: Silva Palzer, Eversheds Sutherland (Austria)
Updating author: Sandra Singhofer, Eversheds Sutherland (Austria)

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Summary

• There are no general statutory requirements as to the form of an employment contract, which (with some exceptions) may be written, oral or implied. (See General)
• Employees may be subject to a probationary period, generally of up to one month. (See Probationary periods)
• Employment contracts may be open ended or fixed term, and for full-time or part-time work. There are some distinctions in employment law and practice between white-collar and blue-collar employees. (See Types of contract)
• The employer is obliged to give the employee a written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment, unless a written contract deals with all these terms and conditions. (See Written statement of terms of employment)
• The terms of an employment contract (except the mandatory terms based on collective bargaining agreements or legislation) can generally be varied if the employer and employee agree on the change. (See Variation of contract)