Switzerland Employment Guide

Switzerland is in Central Europe, bordering Germany (north), Austria, Liechtenstein (east), Italy (south) and France (west). It has ~8.6 million people; official languages include German, French, Italian and Romansh, with Bern as the capital. Its highly developed economy has global competitiveness in finance, pharmaceuticals, precision machinery, IT and tourism, while manufacturing and agriculture also hold key roles. Labor laws (per Swiss Code of Obligations) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: ~42 hours (overtime needs extra pay or time off). Salaries are usually monthly (avg. CHF 6,500 pre-tax). Laws cover paid leave and protect contract/temp workers, balancing interests for a fair, sustainable labor market.

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Currency

Swiss Franc (CHF)

Capital

Bern

Official language

German, French, Italian, and Romansh

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Switzerland

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Paid Leave Entitlements in Switzerland

Swiss labor agreements provide distinct paid vacation benefits based on employee age demographics. Workers under 20 years or above 50 years of age are entitled to 25 days of annual paid leave according to collective bargaining agreements.

National and Regional Public Holidays

Switzerland maintains three federally recognized public holidays observed nationwide:

Swiss National Day: August 1st
Ascension Day (date varies annually)
Christmas Day: December 25th

Beyond these federal holidays, Switzerland's cantonal system allows for additional regional observances. Most cantons recognize between 6-8 local holidays annually, creating variations in holiday schedules across different regions.

Practical Implications for International Employers

Companies like SailGlobal must navigate these regional variations when managing Swiss teams. For instance, an employee in Geneva might have different holiday schedules than colleagues in Zurich. This requires sophisticated HR systems that can accommodate cantonal-specific regulations while maintaining consistent workforce management policies.

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