Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

FLOODS

Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

With floods causing major disruptions across Austria, concerns are rising about workers' rights during natural disasters. Do employees have the right to stay home when commuting becomes unsafe?

Published: 16 September 2024 10:31 CEST
Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?
The Danube Canal overflows its banks in Vienna's city centre. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

On Sunday, parts of Austria were declared natural disaster zones.

Heavy flooding caused chaos in many different parts of the country. In some areas, people have been evacuated from their homes, and on Sunday, a firefighter died during rescue work.

Arriving on time at important places, such as your workplace, might be challenging during natural disasters like flooding.

However, Austria’s Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) highlighted that workers have the right to stay home if going to the workplace is dangerous. Here’s what you need to know about the specific rules.

Can you get fired if you do not show up at work due to a natural disaster?

The short answer is no, you cannot.

You cannot be dismissed if you are late or cannot come in at all due to the event. A natural disaster is a valid reason (Dienstverhinderungsgrund in German) for not showing up as planned.

However, you need to make an effort to get to your workplace as soon as possible despite the natural disaster. It is also mandatory that you inform your employer straight away about your situation.

READ ALSO: ‘Unprecedented situation’: Austria hit by torrential rain and floods

Will you still get paid if you are late or cannot work due to a natural disaster?

If you cannot work as planned, you have the right to temporarily continue receiving your payment.

Once again, you need to inform your employer immediately about the situation and try to return to work as soon as possible.

Can you be absent from work to protect your property or your relatives’ property?

In general, you are expected to go to work if you can.

Whether protecting your own property or that of close family members is a valid reason for not going to work depends on the specific case and situation. It needs to be decided on a case-by-case basis.

For example, the Vienna Higher Regional Court decided that helping siblings with flood relief when it could not be delayed was a valid reason for not going to work.

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: How devastating floods turned Austria into a ‘disaster zone’
 

On Sunday, Strandbar Hermann in central Vienna was completely underwater. Photo by Julia Hjelm Jakobsson.

What is the legal situation if you are not personally affected by a disaster but volunteer to help (such as cleaning up flood damage) or work with an aid organisation?

If you volunteer for emergency services, you should talk to your employer about being away before it happens.You might need to use your vacation days or overtime hours for your absence.

If you instead volunteer for an aid organisation (such as the Red Cross), you are allowed skip work if it is necessary to prevent danger to life and health. However, you need to inform your employer, and in this situation, the employer is not required to continue paying you.

In case of emergencies (like rescuing a neighbour or preventing danger to life), you can stay away from work without your employer’s prior approval. You still have to notify your employer, but you can do this afterwards. 

READ NEXT: One fireman dead in Austria flooding: authorities

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

FLOODS

Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What’s the state of Austria’s transport services?

Flooding has hit Austria hard, leaving many roadways impassable, metro services partially suspended, and river boats stranded in Vienna. Here's what you need to know on Monday.

Published: 16 September 2024 16:53 CEST
Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What's the state of Austria's transport services?

The severe flooding across Austria caused by the relentless rainfall over the weekend and on Monday has wreaked havoc on the nation’s transport systems, leaving commuters and travellers scrambling to adapt. 

The storm’s effects are being felt nationwide, from disrupted metro services in Vienna to closed motorways and suspended rail services.

Vienna metro network hit hard

The capital’s metro system, Wiener Linien, has been particularly affected, with several vital lines running with severe restrictions. Water levels on the Vienna River and Danube Canal have fluctuated, requiring constant flood protection efforts.

READ ALSO: Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

As a result, services on the U4, U6, U3, and U2 lines were partially suspended. While the U6 could only operate between Floridsdorf and Westbahnhof and between Meidling and Siebenhirten, the U4 was limited to the section between Heiligenstadt and Friedensbrücke. Similarly, the U3 was running from Ottakring to Schlachthausgasse, leaving Simmering without service, and the U2 was restricted to running between Seestadt and Taborstraße.

Wiener Linien has indicated that normal operations may not resume until mid-week, as flood protection measures like dam beams and sandbags were still in place. 

Depending on how the rain and water levels develop, additional delays or restrictions are possible. Commuters should check for updates via the WienMobil app or the operator’s website.

Nationwide rail and road chaos

Floods have also affected Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, with delays and cancellations expected to persist until at least Thursday, September 19th. 

The ÖBB issued travel warnings urging passengers to avoid non-essential journeys, and some major routes were suspended entirely.

READ ALSO: What’s the cause of Austria’s ‘unprecedented’ rainfall and flooding?

On the western rail line between Vienna and Linz, services were halted on Monday and Tuesday due to flooding, leaving WESTbahn passengers unable to travel. Although WESTbahn tickets were temporarily accepted on ÖBB trains between Vienna and Salzburg, travellers were asked to prepare for disruptions and extended journey times.

The situation on the roads isn’t much better. While some motorway closures have been lifted, others remained, particularly in Lower Austria, where almost 300 roads were currently impassable. Drivers are advised to avoid travel where possible and to check local road conditions before setting off.

You can see a list of all road closures HERE.

Boats and river cruises stranded

The flooding has as would be expected hit travel on Austria’s waterways. In Vienna, a Swiss river cruise ship, the Thurgau Prestige, remained docked, with its passengers unable to disembark due to high water levels. 

Since Saturday, 102 passengers and 40 crew members had been stranded on board. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed when it will be safe for them to leave the ship.

READ ALSO: Floods latest: Two men found dead in their homes in Lower Austria

Pedestrians also impacted

Even walking in some areas of Austria has been made dangerous by the storms. In Vienna, public parks were closed to reduce the risk of falling trees, while footpaths and public spaces were at risk of water damage or further flooding. 

Residents are being urged to stay indoors where possible.

READ NEXT: Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

SHOW COMMENTS