What Can Employers Do With Regards To Background Checks In Austria?
Regarding criminal record checks, no express statutory restrictions prohibit employers or third parties from performing background checks. However, testimonials cannot contain details that might hamper an employee’s job prospects.
This prohibition indirectly affects this process, as former employers cannot provide negative information to prospective employers. It is common for job applicants to provide employers with a criminal record certificate (certificate of good standing). Further, human resources reports often provide insightful background information on applicants. Employers commonly request a criminal record certificate from job applicants.
These certificates do not show criminal convictions that have already been expunged from the official database. Convictions for minor offences (ie, jail terms of no more than three months or equivalent) are also not shown in the certificate.