Effortless Hiring in Switzerland

Employment Contracts

• Employers are required to provide employees with a written employment contract detailing essential terms such as:
• Job responsibilities.
• Compensation.
• Working hours.
• Leave entitlements.
• Termination conditions.
• This written contract should be provided within 30 days of the employee's start date to ensure clarity and mutual understanding.

Probationary Period

• While not mandated by law, probationary periods are common and typically last up to three months. During this time, employees are entitled to the same rights as regular employees.

Payroll Frequency

• Employees are generally paid on a monthly basis, with payments made by the end of each month.

Minimum Wage

• Switzerland does not have a nationwide statutory minimum wage. However, certain cantons, such as Geneva and Neuchâtel, have implemented their own minimum wage laws. Employers must adhere to the regional minimum wage applicable to their location.

Overtime

• Standard working hours are typically 40 to 44 hours per week, depending on the industry. Overtime is compensated at:
• 125% of the regular hourly wage for the first two hours of overtime.
• 150% for additional hours beyond that.
• Overtime is capped at 16 hours per week.

Employee Contributions

1. Social Security: Employees contribute approximately:

• 4.35% of their gross salary for Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AHV).
• 1.4% for Disability Insurance (IV).
• 0.5% for Income Compensation Insurance (EO).
• Contributions vary based on salary levels and specific programs.

2. Health Insurance: While employers are not required to provide health insurance, all residents must obtain mandatory health insurance coverage.

Employer Contributions

1. Social Security: Employers match employee contributions for AHV and IV.
2. Pension Fund: Employers contribute at least 50% of the total pension fund contributions.

Income Tax

• Switzerland operates a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 10% to 50% depending on income levels and varies by canton and municipality.

Types of Leave in Switzerland

1. Annual Leave

• Employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave. Employees under 20 years old are entitled to five weeks.

2. Public Holidays

• Switzerland recognizes August 1st as the only nationwide public holiday. Additional public holidays are determined by each canton. Employers are generally not required to compensate employees for work on public holidays unless specified in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

3. Sick Leave

• Sick leave entitlements vary by employer policy; however, many companies provide paid sick leave based on internal guidelines or collective agreements.

4. Maternity Leave

• Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, with at least 8 weeks taken post-childbirth. The employer pays for the first 60 days, while social security covers the remainder.

5. Paternity Leave

• Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Social Insurance

• The Swiss social security system includes benefits such as old-age pensions, disability insurance, and unemployment benefits. Both employers and employees contribute to these programs.

Health Insurance

• All residents must obtain mandatory health insurance coverage through private insurers. Employers may offer supplementary health insurance as an additional benefit.

Notice Period

• The statutory notice periods vary based on tenure:
• Up to 6 months: 1 day per month of employment.
• From 6 months to 1 year: 6 days plus an additional 2.5 days for each additional month.
• Over 1 year: At least 1 month.

Grounds for Dismissal

• Termination must be based on justifiable reasons such as misconduct or inability to perform duties. Grounds should be clearly stated in work rules.

Restrictions on Dismissal

• Termination is prohibited during periods such as maternity leave and for 30 days thereafter.