What you need to know for employing in Switzerland

Employee contributions include Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance; Unemployment Insurance; and Supplementary Unemployment Insurance. This list is non-exhaustive, please contact us for further information.

40-42 hours are standard; the maximum working hours are 45 - 50 hrs per week (depending on industry). Overtime is capped and compensated unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Sick leave entitlement varies according to time of service and ranges between 3 weeks to 9 weeks and increases annually to maximum of 12 months after 48 months of service. Total sick pay entitlement depends on canton and length of service.

Maternity Leave: 14 weeks leave at 80% Pay (CHF 196 cap) or 16 weeks leave at 80% Pay (CHF 196 cap) for Geneva only. To be eligible the mother must have made 9 months AVS contributions before birth and been gainfully employed for at least 5 months during this period.

Paternity Leave: 10 days of paternity leave at 80% Pay (CHF 196 cap). The eligibility is the same as for maternity leave. Must be taken within six months of the baby’s birth. Cantonal provisions, staff regulations and collective labour agreements apply if they provide for more generous benefits.

Adoption Leave: Effective January 1, 2023, working parents who adopt a child under the age of four will be entitled to two weeks of paid leave.

Annual leave is 4 weeks for employees over the age of 20 and 5 weeks for employees under the age of 20 excluding public holidays.

There are no mandatory severance pay.

Termination can be without cause (“at will”) but does require notice which is a minimum of 1 month, increasing with years of service.