When voluntary resignations occur, a legally mandated and administered process is initiated within the Austrian police force. This process is acknowledged by supervisors, processed, and forwarded to the relevant personnel departments in the respective federal state, where the final act is conclusively filed – nothing more, nothing less. The supervisory authorities handle the case in accordance with legal requirements. Rarely are the affected former colleagues invited to a structured discussion – neither by their immediate superiors nor by the organization. Accompanying the individuals through a uniform process during their departure is not on the agenda of those responsible. Thus, the state police directorates have little insight into the motivations for resignations, as well as limited access to understanding the significance of the final phase of working life within the organization. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has recognized that such a process is important, as there has been a noticeable increase in voluntary resignations among colleagues in executive service. This master's thesis, therefore, addresses the separation process of employees who decide to voluntarily leave their employer, the executive, focusing on the hitherto undefined steps in this process. An Austriawide uniform separation management is to be created through this thesis and presented through recommendations for action to optimize future procedures within the executive. For this study, following a suitable literature review, a qualitative survey was conducted in which a total of 19 interviews were held. In 15 interviews with leaders from three state police directorates—Upper Austria, Styria, and Tyrol—as well as interviews with leaders at the Central Office of the Ministry of the Interior, numerous insights were gained emphasizing the importance of a sustainable separation culture. Although the responsible parties are aware of regional differences in the state police directorates, there is currently no strategic and structured approach to a professional separation process. For a change in perspective, four former employees of the Upper Austria State Police Directorate were interviewed about the separation process, their motivations, and their suggested improvements, which were also integrated into the recommendations for action. Furthermore, initial findings of this work were developed at a leadership workshop of the Upper Austria State Police Directorate, which plays a role in strategic organizational development. This master's thesis aims primarily to recognize separation management as part of organizational change, in that the organization evolves—from administration to accompanying employees through their respective life phases. Thus, a respectful departure can be facilitated during the separation phase, and ideally, a learning process for the organization can emerge. Additionally, the possibility of re-entry is further elaborated. The approaches and measures developed aim to help standardize the separation process in connection with voluntary resignations, strengthen the attachment of remaining employees, and reduce the number of resignations.
Trennungsmanagement der Polizei Österreich: Eine Analyse des Trennungsprozesses von freiwilligen Austritten und Handlungsempfehlungen zum Verständnis der Bedeutsamkeit einer nachhaltigen Trennungskultur
Mayr-Kirchberger, S. (Author). May 2024
Student thesis: Master's Thesis