Grotesque from Gewessler

Gender tests for companies canceled again!

Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler wanted to oblige companies such as Vienna Airport and Wiener Linien to carry out "gender tests". But now they have backed down.(Bild: SEPA.Media/Indra, stock.adobe.com/fotohansel, Krone KREATIV)

Transport Minister Gewessler wanted to oblige companies to carry out "gender tests". Following a "Krone" report, she is now rowing back: the "obligation" has become a declaration of intent.

Around a week ago, it was the most exciting news: 21 companies - from Wiener Linien and Vienna Airport to the post office, the Chamber of Commerce and ÖBB - received explosive mail from the minister responsible for transport agendas, the green Leonore Gewessler.

"Women in Transport" was the title of the statement, which is likely to have led to massive criticism from some of the companies named in the statement. Not surprisingly, as state-owned companies were supposed to commit to "gender tests", as reported in detail. Gender-related data of employees that goes beyond the binary gender understanding of male and female should be collected by their companies.

Breach of the law?
"Legally untenable", warned experts, as no gender or religious affiliation would be requested during the application process. Without the explicit consent of the employee, this is a violation of the law, said former Chamber of Labor President Rudolf Kaske.

Asking about an employee's gender orientation concerns their personal life and is simply prohibited for employers.

Ex-AK-Präsident und Wiener Landtagsmandatar Rudolf Kaske

A new version of the letter has now apparently been received - in contrast to the old version, the new version is clearly marked as a "draft" with a watermark. Further reading reveals differences. The title "Concrete and binding measures" has been deleted, meaning that an obligation to implement them appears to have been dropped. In contrast, the voluntary nature of the employees was explicitly emphasized - this had been missing in the first draft. It seems that some of the companies have - successfully - resisted the gender grotesque.