Austria: a four-day working week on the cards at discount retailer Lidl

In its 2021 business report, Lidl Österreich has announced its intention to offer a four-day week to some of its central services employees. The Austrian subsidiary of the German discount retailer that is known for being light on details employs 5,800 in three central offices and 250 stores. Details over arrangements for this move are unknown, including for example, how many employees will be affected, and which criteria will apply for their selection. Notwithstanding, the Austrian media has revealed that this optional switch to a four-day week will be made without any reduction in working hours. Alongside this policy move Lidl Österreich has announced that it will grant an additional week of vacation to employees in the central services divisions to come to a total of six weeks per year, as is already the case in Germany. Lastly, Lidl has announced an increase in the minimum wage it is paying its sales employees to €2,090 gross per month, putting it roughly 16% higher than the industry minimum wage. This salary increase is back-dated to 01 March 2022.