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A Reference Letter (Referenzschreiben) offers a professional evaluation of someone's work performance, skills, and character. In Austria's business culture, these letters play a crucial role when changing jobs or applying for new positions, as employers commonly expect them from previous supervisors or managers.

Under Austrian labor law, employees have a legal right to receive a detailed reference letter upon leaving a company. These documents must remain objective, truthful, and follow specific formatting guidelines. Unlike the simpler confirmation of employment (Arbeitsbestätigung), a proper reference letter includes qualitative assessments of the employee's competencies, conduct, and achievements during their tenure.

Request a Reference Letter when leaving your job in Austria, as it significantly strengthens your application package for future positions. Austrian employers expect these detailed evaluations, and having one ready speeds up your job search process considerably. The law requires companies to provide these letters upon employment termination.

Use Reference Letters during university applications, professional certification processes, or when seeking promotions within your current company. Austrian organizations often require them for internal advancement, especially in regulated industries like banking or healthcare. Getting the letter while your achievements are fresh in your supervisor's mind ensures the most accurate and beneficial assessment.

• Letter Of Recommendation For Employee: Standard workplace evaluation focusing on professional performance and skills, required by Austrian labor law when leaving employment
• Letter Of Recommendation For Student: Academic-focused assessment from professors or teachers, emphasizing scholarly achievements and potential
• Letter Of Recommendation For Masters Program: Specialized format highlighting research capabilities and academic excellence for advanced degree applications
• Recommendation Letter For Student From Employer: Combines work experience with academic potential, particularly valuable for internship participants

• Employers/Supervisors: Legally required to draft and issue Reference Letters upon employment termination, ensuring accurate assessment of employee performance and conduct
• HR Departments: Oversee the creation process, maintain compliance with Austrian labor laws, and ensure proper formatting and content standards
• Current/Former Employees: Have a legal right to receive these letters and can request corrections if inaccuracies exist
• Academic Institutions: Both issue and receive Reference Letters for students and faculty, particularly for advanced degree programs
• Labor Courts: May review disputed Reference Letters and enforce compliance with legal requirements for objectivity and completeness

• Basic Information: Gather employee's full name, position title, employment duration, and key responsibilities accurately from HR records
• Performance Data: Collect concrete examples of achievements, project outcomes, and competency evaluations from performance reviews
• Legal Format: Use our platform's Austrian-compliant templates to ensure proper structure and mandatory elements are included
• Objective Language: Draft factual statements about performance using neutral, clear language that meets Austrian labor law requirements
• Internal Review: Have HR and the direct supervisor verify accuracy and compliance before finalizing the document

• Company Details: Full legal name, address, and business registration information of the issuing organization
• Employment Facts: Precise start and end dates, job title, department, and primary responsibilities
• Performance Assessment: Objective evaluation of work quality, reliability, and professional conduct using legally compliant Austrian terminology
• Special Achievements: Specific contributions, projects completed, and notable successes during employment
• Date and Signature: Current date, authorized signatory's name, position, and handwritten signature as required by Austrian labor law
• Formal Closing: Standard Austrian business closing phrase confirming the employee's departure on good terms

A Reference Letter differs significantly from an Employment Letter in both purpose and content, though both play important roles in Austrian employment documentation.

• Purpose and Timing: Reference Letters evaluate past performance and are issued when employment ends, while Employment Letters establish new working relationships and outline initial terms
• Legal Requirements: Austrian law mandates detailed Reference Letters upon employment termination, but Employment Letters are voluntary hiring tools
• Content Scope: Reference Letters must include performance assessments and behavioral evaluations, whereas Employment Letters focus on future role descriptions and compensation terms
• Legal Protection: Reference Letters must maintain objective language and avoid coded negative references under Austrian labor law, while Employment Letters can include specific conditions and requirements