Benchmarking Chancengleichheit: Österreich im EU-Vergleich

Abstract: The concept of Benchmarking gained more and more importance at the European level as well as at the national level, since the European employment strategy was launched in 1998. The analysis of Austrians position in EU-comparison is used toidentify problems, to legitimise measures and to tone down critiques. In the paper we discuss the question whether the concept of benchmarking is adequate for the analysis of equal opportunities too. Therefore we discuss the main preconditions for benchmarking of equal opportunities as well as problems in that context. The arguments will be illustrated with the indicators used by the EU for benchmarking the European Employment Strategy. Austria holds one of the top positions in European comparison concerning the integration of women in employment. However, the position of Austria changes drastically if the quality of employment and the reconciliation of family and work are also taken into account.;