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

Employees in Switzerland obtain between 9 to 15 public holidays per year, depending on the canton. Switzerland has the following national holidays:

Types of Leave in Switzerland

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to at least three weeks of paid sick leave during their first year of service, with the entitlement increasing with tenure. Employers may require a medical certificate for absences exceeding a certain duration, typically three days. Alternatively, some employers offer benefits insurance, providing 80% of recent salary for up to 720 days of sick leave.

Paid Time Off

Employees are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave per year, with at least two consecutive weeks granted annually. Those under 20 years old receiving five weeks of paid leave. Leave accrues proportionally throughout the year, and employers are encouraged to consider employees' preferences when scheduling leave, provided it aligns with business needs. Unused leave may be carried over, subject to employer policies and agreements.

Maternity, Paternity, and Parental Leave

Maternity leave in Switzerland is set at 14 weeks, during which mothers receive 80% of their salary, funded through the Loss of Earnings Compensation scheme. 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.

Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave, which can be taken within six months following the child's birth. 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. Parental leave policies vary by canton; for example, Geneva offers 24 weeks of parental leave.

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.

Special Leave Types

Unpaid leave, sabbaticals, career breaks, and study leave are not mandated by Swiss federal law but may be negotiated between the employer and employee. These arrangements are often outlined in employment contracts or company policies.

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.