Doing Business in Austria 245unemployment and disability insurance, the system provides
well for families by way of family allowances and extended
maternity leave.
Changing Jobs
There is not much desire to move from job to job. Most
Austrians stay with the same company because they get
comfortable and become used to the status quo. Perhaps this
attitude has to do with their way of handling problems: many
will ignore it or complain about it and go on. Surprisingly
enough, it would be easy for most Austrians to gain new
employment, as Austria’s social security system is so
comprehensive that changing jobs would not have any effect
on vacation pay or retirement. The system does, however, hit
those who start their own business or go freelance. Salaried
earners are worshiped by the system, and anyone daring to
leave the social system is punished.
Starting Your Own Business
Leaving the social system requires strength of character, a
great business IQ and quite a bit of capital. The business that
you begin cannot be a gamble. There is little help for those
who fail. If loans are taken out to help your business survive
and you still do not succeed, your life will never be the same.
The result is that Austria is last on the entrepreneurial totem
pole in Europe.
Success is a Bad Word
You could be one of the most hardworking people in your
office, or you could have created something new and
different, but the sceptical Austrian will just shake his head
and wonder who helped you out, or tell you in no uncertain
terms that there are dozens of people just like you. Lack
of opportunity, few jobs at the top and a highly educated
population breed cynicism in the majority.
This attitude gives rise to contempt for new inventions too.
It is called österreichisches Erfinderschicksal, or the Austrian’s
fate for being ignored when he comes up with anything
new. The bureaucracy will find various reasons to degrade