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Over a third of workers: More vacation instead of more money!
A PwC study shows that 37% of Austrian employees want more vacation instead of money. Flexible working conditions are in demand.
Over a third of workers: More vacation instead of more money!
A current study by PwC Austria, which is based on responses from over 1,100 professionals, shows clear changes in the wishes and needs of employees. The survey found that 37 percent of participants would be willing to forego their salary if they could receive an additional week of vacation in return. On average, they would sacrifice 7.5 percent of their income for this oegb.at.
These results illustrate the increasing importance of work-life balance in Austria. It should also be noted that many employees want flexible working conditions: 91 percent of those surveyed would like more flexibility in organizing their working hours and work locations. According to the study, over 50 percent of participants would like to swap office work for home office.
Home office and flexible working models
Another result of the survey shows that 53 percent of employees would be willing to give up social interaction in the office if they had the opportunity to work flexibly from home. This need for flexible work is supported by the legal framework in Austria, which allows teleworking in all agreed locations. In this context, the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) is calling for the introduction of a 6th week of vacation and a reduction in working hours without loss of income.
Generation Z sees salary communication as less transparent. While baby boomers feel more transparency in salary discussions, 66 percent of younger people said they feel more motivated when salaries are openly communicated. 67 percent of Generation Z respondents would even forgo internal company celebrations in order to gain more clarity about salaries.
Fair pay and training
Equality in pay remains a central issue: 53 percent of women and 45 percent of men demand fair pay in the study. This is particularly important because women in Austria earn 16.6 percent less than men for the same work. Full wage transparency could help reduce these income differences.
In addition, 90 percent of those surveyed would like further training opportunities. Important factors for professional growth are training and mentoring programs. The interaction of these expectations shows that employees are not only looking for financial incentives and support, but also flexibility in dealing with vacation and working hours. The top expectations for employers are:
| Employee expectations |
|---|
| 1. Fair pay and financial incentives (e.g. meal subsidies) |
| 2. Financial support (e.g. bonuses, company pension scheme) |
| 3. Flexibility in vacation and free time (e.g. 6th week of vacation, remote work) |
| 4. Flexible working time models |
| 5. Training and further education measures |
The PwC study was carried out between March 12 and 18, 2025 and offers valuable insight into the demands and wishes of employees in Austria. The multitude of topics that were addressed show that it is time to adapt the world of work to the needs of employees in order to ensure long-term satisfaction and productivity. Further details and the entire study are available ots.at available.