Fixed-Term Research Contracts Act

Fixed-Term Research Contracts Act

PLEASE NOTE: The following applies to positions pursuant to Section 2.1. WissZeitVG that are aimed at gaining academic qualifications. Employment for a specific purpose (financed using third-party funds) pursuant to Section 2.2 WissZeitVG cannot be extended. We recommend an individual consultation with staff at the Family Service for advice on how to cope with the WissZeitVG.

 

on Section 2.1.:

The Fixed-Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG) sets forth the provisions applicable to research staff at institutes of higher education and non-university research institutions. The act, which came into effect in 2007, improved the options available for balancing caring for children with working in research. It allows employees on fixed-term employment contracts to extend their contract by up to two years for each of the children they care for.

Extension of qualification phase:

  • The permissible length of fixed-term contracts in the qualification phase for research staff is extended by two years per child if the researcher cares for a child/children under the age of 18.
  • This applies to both parents if they are both in the qualification phase at the same time.
  • The extension is not granted automatically. Employees have to apply and inform their employer accordingly.
  • The upper time limit for academic staff currently in the qualification phase (WissZeitVG) has been extended as a result of restrictions on university and research operations during the pandemic. Employment contracts for the qualification phase that were in place between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 can be extended by six months or one year.

Extension of fixed-term employment contracts:

  • Fixed-term employment contracts for research staff are extended pursuant to WissZeitVG (provided employees agree) by:
    • The time taken as leave or during which hours were reduced (by at least one fifth of the regular working hours) in order to look after or care for one or more children under the age of 18 or other relatives requiring care.
    • The time taken as parental leave according to the Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act and periods of time in which employees were prohibited from working and did not work pursuant to the Maternity Protection Act.