# Why labour reform matters: a message to policymaker, Martin Kocher

- URL: https://hr-passionista.com/en/open-letter-to-labour-minister-martin-kocher/
- Published: 2026-01-29
- Updated: 2026-01-29
- Author: Marion Eppinger (HR-Passionista)
- Categories: change, new work & transition

> What HR expects from Labour Minister Martin Kocher: core messages, challenges and recommendations for Austria’s labour market.

##### Dear Minister,

##### As Minister of Labour, I am outraged and speechless by your public statement.

### Working Parents

My husband and I **both** work **part-time,** not because we are lazy, but because we **share** **childcare** responsibilities**.** *„Are we now working part-time voluntarily?“* Yes and no**.** On the one hand, we need to **earn money** to **cover living** expenses **and childcare costs**; but on the other hand, we also want **to spend quality time with our son.**

Everyone is talking about **work-life balance** (there’s even a government quality mark for it!), and yet we’re discussing the **avoidance of part-time work in Austria.** Why does it still have to **be** an **exclusive either/or situation** between work and family in the 21st century?

![Laptop-Bildschirm zeigt ein virtuelles Meeting mit zwei Personen, eine sitzt auf einem Stuhl, die andere daneben, vor einer roten Wand.“](https://hr-passionista.com/media/2022/10/Meeting-Working-Mum-1024x576.webp)

### Part-time

**Many people work part-time in order to fulfil care responsibilities,** and most of them are **women** (still!), **often involuntarily.**

> **Caring for relatives:**
> *Wouldn’t you care for your relatives if they were unwell and you had to reduce your working hours as a result?*

I am really **angry**. This **statement sets us back 40 years in terms of equality.** According to the WKO ([part-time work promotes flexibility and prosperity](https://news.wko.at/news/oesterreich/position_teilzeit.html#:~:text=Mit%20einem%20Teilzeit%2DAnteil%20von,Schnitt%20von%2018%2C7%25.&text=Die%20Anzahl%20der%20Teilzeitbesch%C3%A4ftigten%20ist,28%2C7%25%20relativ%20stabil)), 28.7% of workers are expected to work **part-time** in 2021. Of these **49.6% of whom** will be **women, compared to 11.6% men.**

![Statistik über die Entwicklung von Teilzeitarbeit in Österreich zwischen 1994 - 2021](https://hr-passionista.com/media/2022/10/53f946fc8efc0ceed97f228f655f2d99-position_teilzeit.webp)

### Part-time vs. full-time

One thing is certain: **not** everyone who works **part-time** is work shy, even if they don’t have childcare or caregiving responsibilities. I suggest you read my article on **Generation Slash** ([Why the nine-to-five job may no longer make sense](https://hr-passionista.com/warum-der-nine-to-five-job-vielleicht-gar-keinen-sinn-mehr-ergibt-lautet-die-generation-slash-die-arbeitswelt-5-0-ein/)) – because according to **recent studies** (https://www.zukunftsinstitut.de/artikel/arbeit-am-ich-das-ende-des-hobbys/),  the **„dream full-time job“ no longer** exists until retirement and **is not in line with modern workforce management.** 

**Roday’s working generations** demand  **flexibility** to fulfil themselves at all levels is what**.** This can be achieved through a **reduction in working hours and more leisure time – in other words, part-time work.** **Successful employers support** **their employees in this,** because it is the only way for them **to compete** for talents in today’s **job market and counteract the labour shortage.**

![](https://hr-passionista.com/media/2025/11/DSC01841-Edit.jpg)

### My offer

I would be happy to **discuss** this with you and **provide** practical **advice.** As **experienced HR professional and working parent**, I would be delighted **to support** you with my **knowledge and skills.** **Together,** perhaps we can **shape the world of work in a contemporary and positive way,** breaking with old patterns and **forging new paths.** 

Kind regards,

Marion Eppinger aka. HR Passionista