fit2work: free support when your health puts your job at risk in Austria

If you are frequently or long-term absent from work due to illness, or are worried that health problems could cost you your job, Austria has a dedicated public programme for support. fit2work provides advice and assistance to individuals and companies.

What is fit2work?

fit2work is a preventive programme (Präventionsprogramm) designed to help people keep their jobs when health problems affect their ability to work. Personal advice is free and available to anyone of working age.

• Advice is available if you are frequently or long-term absent from work (Krankenstand).
• The programme supports people living with physical or psychological impairments.
• It can help if you fear losing your job for health reasons.
• It also supports people who are unemployed because of health reasons.

If you are already unemployed for health reasons, you should also check how to register as unemployed with the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS).

What support can you receive?

One aim of the programme is to prevent job loss caused by health problems or to address an emerging impairment at an early stage. Another is to make returning to work easier after a long period of sick leave, for example through return-to-work part-time employment (Wiedereingliederungsteilzeit).

fit2work has two main areas:

• Personal advice (Personenberatung) for individuals.
• Business advice (Betriebsberatung) for employers.

Personal advice can include:

1. An assessment of your current situation (Ist-Analyse).
2. Occupational medical and/or occupational psychological assessment, with individual recommendations.
3. Developing an alternative or new professional perspective.
4. Information about possible support, benefits and measures.
5. Help contacting institutions and regional partners.

fit2work can help you prepare an action plan (Maßnahmenplan) and support you while it is implemented.

When is psychological treatment available?

Free clinical-psychological treatment may be available as part of personal advice. This is a supplementary (subsidiär) service and requires both of the following:

• The fit2work individual consultation identifies a need for treatment.
• The health insurance provider (ÖGK) cannot provide suitable free treatment in time.

What is Case Management Plus?

The programme also covers people whose sickness benefit (Krankengeld) has been exhausted within the health insurance system (ausgesteuert). Case Management Plus supports them through longer-term case management.

• Personal advice: for people of working age with health problems; there is no fee.
• Clinical-psychological treatment: for people living with psychological impairments, where a need has been confirmed and ÖGK cannot provide treatment in time.
• Case Management Plus: for people whose sickness benefit has been exhausted; longer-term case management is provided.

How much does fit2work cost?

fit2work advice is free. Regional advice centres operate throughout Austria. You need to arrange an appointment in advance.

What does fit2work offer employers?

The business area has two services.

Return-to-work advice (Eingliederungsberatung)

This service helps companies establish workplace return-to-work management (Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement). It also provides information about introducing return-to-work part-time employment (WIETZ) for employees returning after a long period of illness. This can reduce absences and staff turnover and help companies retain skilled employees and knowledge.

BGM orientation

Business health management (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement, BGM) covers three areas: employee protection (ArbeitnehmerInnenschutz), workplace health promotion and workplace return-to-work management. A jointly completed digital “BGM-Check” questionnaire is used to assess the company’s needs. The company is then referred to the appropriate public professional organisations.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for fit2work advice?

No. Personal advice is free and available to anyone of working age.

Can I contact fit2work if I am unemployed?

Yes. The programme specifically includes people who are unemployed because of health reasons.

When can I receive free psychological treatment?

You may receive it when the fit2work individual consultation identifies a need and the health insurance provider cannot provide suitable free treatment in time.

How do I arrange an appointment?

Call the free 0800/500 118 hotline from anywhere in Austria, or contact the fit2work advice centre (Anlaufstelle) in your federal state (Bundesland).

Practical steps

1. Consider whether frequent or long-term sick leave, a physical or psychological impairment, or unemployment caused by health reasons is affecting your work.
2. Call 0800/500 118, which is free from anywhere in Austria, or find the fit2work contact point in your Bundesland.
3. Arrange an appointment before visiting a regional advice centre.
4. Discuss your current situation, possible measures and whether clinical-psychological treatment may be needed.
5. Work with fit2work on a Maßnahmenplan and follow-up support, including possible return-to-work measures.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use of the information is at your own risk. If you need specialist guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment-services specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at