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Introduced in 2017, the “WIETZ” scheme (Wiedereingliederungsteilzeit – reintegration part-time) offers Austrian workers the opportunity to return to part-time work after prolonged absence due to illness. In July 2025, the Austrian Statistics Office reported the results of this initiative: one year after the end of their part-time employment, around 87% of people were still in work.
The result of collaboration between government bodies and the social partners, this “part-time rehabilitation” scheme aims to avoid overwork or relapse, while ensuring that people remain in employment. In the medium term, the results show that five years after the end of this part-time scheme, around 75% of those who have used it are still in employment. In addition, the unemployment rate among beneficiaries is relatively low: 3.3% one year after the end of WIETZ and 3.6% five years later.
It should be noted that this measure is part of the more global “Fit2work” program, which aims to help people with health problems to remain in employment or return to it after illness.
Following the publication of these results, a number of players involved in health and safety at work expressed their views:
