Leave Policies in Switzerland

Mandatory Leave Policies in Switzerland

The annual leave entitlement in Switzerland is at least 20 days for a full-time worker. These are in addition to public holidays, which are generally unpaid unless otherwise specified by the employer or canton regulations.

Public Holidays in Switzerland

Public holidays in Switzerland can vary depending on the canton (region) as each one has its own set of holidays in addition to the national holidays. However, the following are the national public holidays in Switzerland:

Types of Leave in Switzerland

Paid Time Off in Switzerland

Employees in Switzerland are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave, with those under 20 years old receiving five weeks of paid leave.

Maternity Leave In Switzerland

Maternity leave in Switzerland is 14 weeks, and to qualify for maternity allowance, employees must have contributed to OASI for at least nine months before delivery and have worked for a minimum of five months. The allowance is 80% of regular pay, up to a maximum of 220 CHF per day.

Paternity Leave In Switzerland

Fathers in Switzerland are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave, while federal employees can take up to 4 weeks of paternity leave within six months of the child's birth, receiving 80% of their average salary with a maximum daily cap of 220 CHF.

Sick Leave In Switzerland

Sick leave duration varies based on an employee's tenure, typically starting with three weeks in the first year. Alternatively, some employers offer benefits insurance, providing 80% of recent salary for up to 720 days of sick leave.

Parental Leave In Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is no specific legislation addressing parental leave.

Care Leave

Employees can take 14 weeks of paid leave to care for a seriously ill or injured child, contingent on a doctor's certificate.

Bereavement Leave

The duration of leave for an employee in the event of a relative's death is not explicitly specified in Swiss labor law and is at the discretion of employers. Typically, close relatives may receive three to five days, while one to three days is customary in other cases.

Best Practices for Implementing Leave Policies in Switzerland

 
• Compliance: Ensure all leave policies adhere to federal and cantonal regulations.
 
• Clarity: Clearly communicate leave entitlements and procedures to employees.
 
• Flexibility: Accommodate employees' leave requests when possible, balancing business needs with personal circumstances.
 
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of leave taken and remaining entitlements.