Short-Time Work in the Economic Downturn: What Can Be Done about Temporary Lack of Work?

Abstract

"Since the end of 2008, the use of short-time work subsidies in case of prospectively temporary work stoppage was facilitated in multiple steps, limited until the end of 2010. This mainly concerns the extension of the maximum duration of reception of short-time work assistance to 24 months, a generous support of companies using short-time work, through reimbursement of social security contributions during work stoppage, and the promotion of qualification for short-time workers. The intention of this is twofold: to prevent the looming rise of unemployment in the light of the current economic crisis, and to provide incentives for a productive use of periods of stoppage. This article gives a review on the implementation of short-time work in the past, presents the new regulations on short-time work in the economic downturn and, referring to the current state of research, inquires the potential effects of short-time work, especially regarding the intended short-term alleviation of the labour market situation and the hoped-for bridging function of short-time work towards an economic upturn." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku)

Cite article

Deeke, A. (2009): Konjunkturelle Kurzarbeit: Was kann bei vorübergehendem Arbeitsausfall bewirkt werden? In: WSI-Mitteilungen, Vol. 62, No. 8, p. 446-452. DOI:10.5771/0342-300X-2009-8-446