With Austria having implemented some cost free testing facilities, as well as a higher testing ratio prior to the holidays, the question occurs: Is participation in testing working or leisure time?
According to the chamber of commerce (“Wirtschaftskammer”) a voluntary participation in testing (i.e. a participation of an employee, who is not obliged via regulation to participate in testing, such an employees working in health facilities) can not be considered as a accepted reason to stay off work (the so called “Dienstverhinderungsgrund”). In the meantime, there are multiple options in Austria to participate in testing (with and without symptoms), which enables employees to also get tested during the weekend or in the evening. Therefore, the employee is not bound to any weekday or specific time.