Universities with Progress in Disability Employment Obligation
Between December 1, 2020, and December 1, 2023, the number of filled mandatory positions increased by 15 percent, according to the Court of Auditors (RH) in the follow-up review of the disability employment obligation at universities. Nevertheless, compensation payments totaling 6.25 million euros were required.
Only University of Klagenfurt Fulfills Disability Employment Obligation 100 Percent
Universities are subject to the Disability Employment Act, which requires that for every 25 employees, at least one person with a disability must be employed - otherwise, compensation payments must be made. As of the key date December 1, 2023, only the University of Klagenfurt fulfilled the employment obligation 100 percent (but not throughout the entire year, which is why it also had to pay). The University of Graz reached 97 percent and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna 95 percent. The largest university in the country, the University of Vienna, filled only one-third of the designated positions, with the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (16 percent) and both the Technical and Medical University of Vienna (23 percent each) at the bottom.
Compensation Payments Amounting to 6.25 Million Euros
The proportion of filled mandatory positions was lower at five universities as of December 1, 2023, compared to the last review on December 1, 2020, otherwise the same (two universities) or (slightly) higher (15 universities), according to the RH. Overall, the universities had to pay compensation taxes amounting to 6.25 million euros for the year 2023. This was an increase of 17 percent compared to 2020 despite more filled positions - the reason for this was an index adjustment in the taxes.
The RH conducted an in-depth review of the Graz University of Technology (filled mandatory positions: 37 percent) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku, 49 percent). To better fulfill the employment obligation, it certified that the TU had developed a more ambitious and comprehensive package of measures at an earlier stage. It focused primarily on increasing the reporting of disability status among existing employees, while Boku newly recruited people with disabilities, particularly through special job advertisements for building management.
Compared to the state recorded in 2020 in the first report on barrier-free studying and working, the RH saw progress in 2020: The Ministry of Science implemented all four reviewed recommendations, the TU Graz all eight, and the Boku two fully, one partially, and two not at all.
(APA/red)
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