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Employment, Benefits & Pensions

Employment, Benefits & Pensions

The employment team of ZEILER supports employers in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law as well as benefits, pensions, industrial relations and data protection issues.

This includes the full range of employment related legal matters such as: employment litigation & trials, employment advisory & housekeeping, pensions & benefits, hiring and performance management & executive contracts, global mobility and immigration, and data protection.

Our Employment team also assists our clients in all Industrial Relations matters.

Our employment team serves a diverse and wide range of sectors and industries, which enables us to tailor our advice to the client’s specific objectives.

We provide employers with value beyond black and white legal advice. We are dedicated and trusted legal advisors who will work tirelessly to deliver the best commercial outcomes, underpinned by strategic focus.

We have expertise in restructuring of businesses and transfers of undertakings, redundancy processes, white-collar crime, service inventions and trade secrets, as well as post-termination restrictive covenants and the implementation of flexible working arrangements, such as home office or “workation”.

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION & TRIALS

Our team of seasoned advisors regularly represents companies before courts, including the Austrian Supreme Court, employment tribunals and conciliation boards.

Our experienced litigators have successfully defended employers in unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases, as well as in connection with requests for re-instatement and wage-and-hour cases.

Additionally, our specialists have extensive experience advising on and managing employment tribunal litigation on works council elections, transfer of undertakings and their influence on works councils, as well as conciliation board litigation, covering also social plans and shop agreements.

Our team assists companies in administrative procedures in cases involving disability, discrimination and other considerations in employment termination or reorganisation cases.

EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY & HOUSEKEEPING

Our team of dedicated employment specialists supports you in all aspects of non-contentious employment law, from beginning to end of an employment relationship.

This starts with background checks of future employees and the structuring of job interviews. It covers the drawing up of contracts, bonus schemes that incentivize your workforce and suitable working time arrangements for diverse staff.

Our experts also support you in managing the times your employees are on leave (maternity leave, parental part-time, sick leave, etc.) as well as when a staff reduction becomes necessary.

In this context, our team provides you with expertise in implementing work-life-balance friendly working time models.

PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

Our team has specialist knowledge on occupational pension issues comprising, among other things, the effect of employment termination on pensions, the amendment of pension terms, the contents and scope of employer pension obligations as well as pension issues arising from transfer of undertakings.

Various employee benefit packages often include a company car also for private use, company housing as well as (additional) medical insurance, profit sharing or retirement benefits, to name just a few. We regularly assist employers in all employment related aspects of rewards and incentives – from drafting contracts to designing and implementing incentive frameworks.

HIRING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS

A pivotal part of recruiting, retaining and motivating employees is to ensure that employment contracts and reward packages are designed to incentivize employees to meet your business objectives.

One special focus of our expertise is on drafting contracts with executives, covering issues like share plans and bonus rewards, confidentiality arrangements and trade secret protection, as well as pensions and post termination restrictive covenants.

GLOBAL MOBILITY & IMMIGRATION

Today’s workforce is increasingly international. Accordingly, companies are competing for talent on a global scale. Getting immigration right in this process is vital. From immigration issues for group employees to relocation of senior executives on a temporary or permanent basis, we provide a seamless service.

The very process of obtaining the relevant approvals can be time-sensitive and stressful. We have the expertise to help you reduce the risk of avoidable problems and provide a hands-on approach to any unexpected issues that may arise.

WHISTLEBLOWING

The “Whistleblower Directive” (Directive [EU] 2019/1937), in force since December 17, 2021, created EU-wide minimum standards on whistleblowing. The Directive requires all companies with at least 50 employees to implement an internal whistleblowing system, ensuring the protection of whistleblowers. The aim of the Whistleblower Directive is to increase detection of relevant EU law violations through increased reporting. The introduction of whistleblowing systems offers companies the opportunity to identify violations at an early stage, to react in a timely and appropriate manner and to avert both material damages and damages to reputation.

We support our clients as a One-Stop-Whistleblowing-Shop, from the first stage of legal and technical implementation of a (mandatory) whistleblowing system, to the ongoing supervision of the whistleblowing system (such as legal assessment of reports received), and to the final stage of carrying out appropriate measures based on the analysis of information received.

EMPLOYMENT LAW IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The construction industry is unique in many ways. So are the employment issues arising in this sector. Our advice to companies in the construction industry on all related issues of contentious and non-contentious employment law, including labor constitution law, takes these particularities into account.

Reference Cases

Assisting a leading Austrian construction company on the full range of employment and industrial relations issues, including interpretation of government relief schemes, facilitating changes of the workforce, drafting and adjustment of home-office arrangements, reductions in force and restructuring of a transfer of business

Advising an Austrian Gambling Corporation in employment law matters, such as a personnel restructuring process including the negotiations of a social plan, drawing up of a new minimum salary scheme and advice regarding the necessity of a shop agreement. Representing the company in court proceedings against its individual employees (Austrian courts)

Supporting a leading global human proteins manufacturer in every aspect of their employment and industrial relations issues. Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council and individual employees regarding the employee’s classification in the company’s overall salary scheme (Austrian courts). Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council with regard to the potential change of the current working time schedule in the company’s various production lines(special conciliation board at the Austrian courts)

Assisting a world leading chemical company in all operative day-to-day employment, industrial relations and pension issues. Supporting the company in all employment related aspects of a recent M&A deal (TUPE). Advising on timeline for meeting the information and consultation requirements towards the works council and the protection afforded to employees in the course of a transfer of undertakings situation

Ongoing support of an Austrian traffic engineering and advertising technic group regarding various employment matters, including the introduction of new working time regulations, redundancies and representation against former employees in front of Austrian courts

Representation of an international cash handling company in the proceedings against company’s former managing director regarding the lawfulness of his employment termination for cause (Austrian employment courts)

Ongoing support of a leading Austrian company in the electronics engineering and manufacturing services sector regarding various employment matters, including the drafting of employment and shop agreements, employee data protection and terminations of employment relationships

Advising an Austrian manufacturer of vehicle lighting systems and electronic components on employment and industrial relations matters, including working time scheme, shop agreements and employee’s IP rights. Representing the company in court proceedings against employees challenging their employment termination (Austrian courts)

Employment, Benefits & Pensions

Employment, Benefits & Pensions

The employment team of ZEILER supports employers in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law as well as benefits, pensions, industrial relations and data protection issues.

This includes the full range of employment related legal matters such as: employment litigation & trials, employment advisory & housekeeping, pensions & benefits, hiring and performance management & executive contracts, global mobility and immigration, and data protection.

Our Employment team also assists our clients in all Industrial Relations matters.

Our employment team serves a diverse and wide range of sectors and industries, which enables us to tailor our advice to the client’s specific objectives.

We provide employers with value beyond black and white legal advice. We are dedicated and trusted legal advisors who will work tirelessly to deliver the best commercial outcomes, underpinned by strategic focus.

We have expertise in restructuring of businesses and transfers of undertakings, redundancy processes, white-collar crime, service inventions and trade secrets, as well as post-termination restrictive covenants and the implementation of flexible working arrangements, such as home office or “workation”.

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION & TRIALS

Our team of seasoned advisors regularly represents companies before courts, including the Austrian Supreme Court, employment tribunals and conciliation boards.

Our experienced litigators have successfully defended employers in unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases, as well as in connection with requests for re-instatement and wage-and-hour cases.

Additionally, our specialists have extensive experience advising on and managing employment tribunal litigation on works council elections, transfer of undertakings and their influence on works councils, as well as conciliation board litigation, covering also social plans and shop agreements.

Our team assists companies in administrative procedures in cases involving disability, discrimination and other considerations in employment termination or reorganisation cases.

EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY & HOUSEKEEPING

Our team of dedicated employment specialists supports you in all aspects of non-contentious employment law, from beginning to end of an employment relationship.

This starts with background checks of future employees and the structuring of job interviews. It covers the drawing up of contracts, bonus schemes that incentivize your workforce and suitable working time arrangements for diverse staff.

Our experts also support you in managing the times your employees are on leave (maternity leave, parental part-time, sick leave, etc.) as well as when a staff reduction becomes necessary.

In this context, our team provides you with expertise in implementing work-life-balance friendly working time models.

PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

Our team has specialist knowledge on occupational pension issues comprising, among other things, the effect of employment termination on pensions, the amendment of pension terms, the contents and scope of employer pension obligations as well as pension issues arising from transfer of undertakings.

Various employee benefit packages often include a company car also for private use, company housing as well as (additional) medical insurance, profit sharing or retirement benefits, to name just a few. We regularly assist employers in all employment related aspects of rewards and incentives – from drafting contracts to designing and implementing incentive frameworks.

HIRING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS

A pivotal part of recruiting, retaining and motivating employees is to ensure that employment contracts and reward packages are designed to incentivize employees to meet your business objectives.

One special focus of our expertise is on drafting contracts with executives, covering issues like share plans and bonus rewards, confidentiality arrangements and trade secret protection, as well as pensions and post termination restrictive covenants.

GLOBAL MOBILITY & IMMIGRATION

Today’s workforce is increasingly international. Accordingly, companies are competing for talent on a global scale. Getting immigration right in this process is vital. From immigration issues for group employees to relocation of senior executives on a temporary or permanent basis, we provide a seamless service.

The very process of obtaining the relevant approvals can be time-sensitive and stressful. We have the expertise to help you reduce the risk of avoidable problems and provide a hands-on approach to any unexpected issues that may arise.

WHISTLEBLOWING

The “Whistleblower Directive” (Directive [EU] 2019/1937), in force since December 17, 2021, created EU-wide minimum standards on whistleblowing. The Directive requires all companies with at least 50 employees to implement an internal whistleblowing system, ensuring the protection of whistleblowers. The aim of the Whistleblower Directive is to increase detection of relevant EU law violations through increased reporting. The introduction of whistleblowing systems offers companies the opportunity to identify violations at an early stage, to react in a timely and appropriate manner and to avert both material damages and damages to reputation.

We support our clients as a One-Stop-Whistleblowing-Shop, from the first stage of legal and technical implementation of a (mandatory) whistleblowing system, to the ongoing supervision of the whistleblowing system (such as legal assessment of reports received), and to the final stage of carrying out appropriate measures based on the analysis of information received.

EMPLOYMENT LAW IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The construction industry is unique in many ways. So are the employment issues arising in this sector. Our advice to companies in the construction industry on all related issues of contentious and non-contentious employment law, including labor constitution law, takes these particularities into account.

Reference Cases

Assisting a leading Austrian construction company on the full range of employment and industrial relations issues, including interpretation of government relief schemes, facilitating changes of the workforce, drafting and adjustment of home-office arrangements, reductions in force and restructuring of a transfer of business

Advising an Austrian Gambling Corporation in employment law matters, such as a personnel restructuring process including the negotiations of a social plan, drawing up of a new minimum salary scheme and advice regarding the necessity of a shop agreement. Representing the company in court proceedings against its individual employees (Austrian courts)

Supporting a leading global human proteins manufacturer in every aspect of their employment and industrial relations issues. Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council and individual employees regarding the employee’s classification in the company’s overall salary scheme (Austrian courts). Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council with regard to the potential change of the current working time schedule in the company’s various production lines(special conciliation board at the Austrian courts)

Assisting a world leading chemical company in all operative day-to-day employment, industrial relations and pension issues. Supporting the company in all employment related aspects of a recent M&A deal (TUPE). Advising on timeline for meeting the information and consultation requirements towards the works council and the protection afforded to employees in the course of a transfer of undertakings situation

Ongoing support of an Austrian traffic engineering and advertising technic group regarding various employment matters, including the introduction of new working time regulations, redundancies and representation against former employees in front of Austrian courts

Representation of an international cash handling company in the proceedings against company’s former managing director regarding the lawfulness of his employment termination for cause (Austrian employment courts)

Ongoing support of a leading Austrian company in the electronics engineering and manufacturing services sector regarding various employment matters, including the drafting of employment and shop agreements, employee data protection and terminations of employment relationships

Advising an Austrian manufacturer of vehicle lighting systems and electronic components on employment and industrial relations matters, including working time scheme, shop agreements and employee’s IP rights. Representing the company in court proceedings against employees challenging their employment termination (Austrian courts)

Employment, Benefits & Pensions

Employment, Benefits & Pensions

The employment team of ZEILER supports employers in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law as well as benefits, pensions, industrial relations and data protection issues.

This includes the full range of employment related legal matters such as: employment litigation & trials, employment advisory & housekeeping, pensions & benefits, hiring and performance management & executive contracts, global mobility and immigration, and data protection.

Our Employment team also assists our clients in all Industrial Relations matters.

Our employment team serves a diverse and wide range of sectors and industries, which enables us to tailor our advice to the client’s specific objectives.

We provide employers with value beyond black and white legal advice. We are dedicated and trusted legal advisors who will work tirelessly to deliver the best commercial outcomes, underpinned by strategic focus.

We have expertise in restructuring of businesses and transfers of undertakings, redundancy processes, white-collar crime, service inventions and trade secrets, as well as post-termination restrictive covenants and the implementation of flexible working arrangements, such as home office or “workation”.

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION & TRIALS

Our team of seasoned advisors regularly represents companies before courts, including the Austrian Supreme Court, employment tribunals and conciliation boards.

Our experienced litigators have successfully defended employers in unfair dismissal claims and discrimination cases, as well as in connection with requests for re-instatement and wage-and-hour cases.

Additionally, our specialists have extensive experience advising on and managing employment tribunal litigation on works council elections, transfer of undertakings and their influence on works councils, as well as conciliation board litigation, covering also social plans and shop agreements.

Our team assists companies in administrative procedures in cases involving disability, discrimination and other considerations in employment termination or reorganisation cases.

EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY & HOUSEKEEPING

Our team of dedicated employment specialists supports you in all aspects of non-contentious employment law, from beginning to end of an employment relationship.

This starts with background checks of future employees and the structuring of job interviews. It covers the drawing up of contracts, bonus schemes that incentivize your workforce and suitable working time arrangements for diverse staff.

Our experts also support you in managing the times your employees are on leave (maternity leave, parental part-time, sick leave, etc.) as well as when a staff reduction becomes necessary.

In this context, our team provides you with expertise in implementing work-life-balance friendly working time models.

PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

Our team has specialist knowledge on occupational pension issues comprising, among other things, the effect of employment termination on pensions, the amendment of pension terms, the contents and scope of employer pension obligations as well as pension issues arising from transfer of undertakings.

Various employee benefit packages often include a company car also for private use, company housing as well as (additional) medical insurance, profit sharing or retirement benefits, to name just a few. We regularly assist employers in all employment related aspects of rewards and incentives – from drafting contracts to designing and implementing incentive frameworks.

HIRING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT & EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS

A pivotal part of recruiting, retaining and motivating employees is to ensure that employment contracts and reward packages are designed to incentivize employees to meet your business objectives.

One special focus of our expertise is on drafting contracts with executives, covering issues like share plans and bonus rewards, confidentiality arrangements and trade secret protection, as well as pensions and post termination restrictive covenants.

GLOBAL MOBILITY & IMMIGRATION

Today’s workforce is increasingly international. Accordingly, companies are competing for talent on a global scale. Getting immigration right in this process is vital. From immigration issues for group employees to relocation of senior executives on a temporary or permanent basis, we provide a seamless service.

The very process of obtaining the relevant approvals can be time-sensitive and stressful. We have the expertise to help you reduce the risk of avoidable problems and provide a hands-on approach to any unexpected issues that may arise.

WHISTLEBLOWING

The “Whistleblower Directive” (Directive [EU] 2019/1937), in force since December 17, 2021, created EU-wide minimum standards on whistleblowing. The Directive requires all companies with at least 50 employees to implement an internal whistleblowing system, ensuring the protection of whistleblowers. The aim of the Whistleblower Directive is to increase detection of relevant EU law violations through increased reporting. The introduction of whistleblowing systems offers companies the opportunity to identify violations at an early stage, to react in a timely and appropriate manner and to avert both material damages and damages to reputation.

We support our clients as a One-Stop-Whistleblowing-Shop, from the first stage of legal and technical implementation of a (mandatory) whistleblowing system, to the ongoing supervision of the whistleblowing system (such as legal assessment of reports received), and to the final stage of carrying out appropriate measures based on the analysis of information received.

EMPLOYMENT LAW IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The construction industry is unique in many ways. So are the employment issues arising in this sector. Our advice to companies in the construction industry on all related issues of contentious and non-contentious employment law, including labor constitution law, takes these particularities into account.

Reference Cases

Assisting a leading Austrian construction company on the full range of employment and industrial relations issues, including interpretation of government relief schemes, facilitating changes of the workforce, drafting and adjustment of home-office arrangements, reductions in force and restructuring of a transfer of business

Advising an Austrian Gambling Corporation in employment law matters, such as a personnel restructuring process including the negotiations of a social plan, drawing up of a new minimum salary scheme and advice regarding the necessity of a shop agreement. Representing the company in court proceedings against its individual employees (Austrian courts)

Supporting a leading global human proteins manufacturer in every aspect of their employment and industrial relations issues. Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council and individual employees regarding the employee’s classification in the company’s overall salary scheme (Austrian courts). Representing the company in court proceedings against its works council with regard to the potential change of the current working time schedule in the company’s various production lines(special conciliation board at the Austrian courts)

Assisting a world leading chemical company in all operative day-to-day employment, industrial relations and pension issues. Supporting the company in all employment related aspects of a recent M&A deal (TUPE). Advising on timeline for meeting the information and consultation requirements towards the works council and the protection afforded to employees in the course of a transfer of undertakings situation

Ongoing support of an Austrian traffic engineering and advertising technic group regarding various employment matters, including the introduction of new working time regulations, redundancies and representation against former employees in front of Austrian courts

Representation of an international cash handling company in the proceedings against company’s former managing director regarding the lawfulness of his employment termination for cause (Austrian employment courts)

Ongoing support of a leading Austrian company in the electronics engineering and manufacturing services sector regarding various employment matters, including the drafting of employment and shop agreements, employee data protection and terminations of employment relationships

Advising an Austrian manufacturer of vehicle lighting systems and electronic components on employment and industrial relations matters, including working time scheme, shop agreements and employee’s IP rights. Representing the company in court proceedings against employees challenging their employment termination (Austrian courts)

Recognition

“Hans Georg Laimer advises on a plethora of employment law issues ranging from government relief schemes and pensions issues to restructurings and M&A-related advice. Additionally, Hans Georg Laimer is also visible in labour law litigation including termination proceedings. “Hans Georg Laimer has very strong commercial awareness and is an excellent partner for our company.”

CHAMBERS EUROPE 2023
Employment Austria

Recognition

“Hans Georg Laimer advises on a plethora of employment law issues ranging from government relief schemes and pensions issues to restructurings and M&A-related advice. Additionally, Hans Georg Laimer is also visible in labour law litigation including termination proceedings. “Hans Georg Laimer has very strong commercial awareness and is an excellent partner for our company.”

CHAMBERS EUROPE 2023
Employment Austria

“The team is headed up by Hans Georg Laimer, who regularly represents clients before employment tribunals, conciliation boards and national courts of ever level. Global mobility, immigration and the gig economy are also areas of strength. “The team is very hands-on and clear in its communication. It is a pleasure to work with them even on the most complex topics, because not only are they very knowledgeable and competent but they are also very practical.”

Legal 500 2023 Employment Austria