Former works council member speaks

Wiener Linien: Questionable handling of sick leave

Wiener Linien bus drivers have to undergo many health checks.

(Bild: Jöchl Martin/Krone)

Questionnaires, compulsory visits to the company doctor and sometimes high salary losses have led to criticism of the way Wiener Linien deals with sick leave. The transport company defends itself.

Similar practices to those at the refuse collection service also exist at Wiener Linien, as a former works council member reported to the "Krone" newspaper. Here, too, questionnaires were used, and those who answered "yes" to the question about possible secondary illnesses often lost their tour and had to wait until they were allowed to return to work.

The biggest problem was that they had to accept a pay cut of up to a third during this time because their bonuses were discontinued. "With the meagre basic salary of a bus driver, that was dramatic," explains the former employee.

Dealing with sick leave fuels staff shortage
In addition, anyone who was off sick for more than two weeks at a time had to see the company doctor. They then had to present all their findings to the doctor so that he could form an opinion. He was once summoned to the company doctor while on sick leave after receiving a pacemaker. These manners were also the main reason for the staff shortage.

It is unfair to deprive long-standing employees of their jobs and leave them with considerable losses because there are no alternatives.

Arbeitnehmersprecher der FPÖ-Wien Michael Oberlechner

Bild: FPÖ Wien

And a large proportion of the redundancies were also based on this, claims the former works council. Only the extreme staff shortage would have led to a rethink.

"Employees are tested for fitness"
Wiener Linien says: "Our colleagues in the transport service have a high level of responsibility. Their physical and mental fitness is checked before they start their job and then at regular intervals. If employees suffer from a serious illness or have been on sick leave for a long time, their fitness is checked again by our in-house team of doctors before they start work. Findings can also be requested here if they are required. A medical history form is also part of the usual process. Like all doctors, our medical staff have a duty of confidentiality."