Employees entitled to minimum employment rights
All, except that top managers are not subject to a specific maximum work duration.
Working hours
There is a limit of 45 hours per week for most workers (ie, workers employed in industrial enterprises, as well as for clerical, technical and other employees, including sales staff of large retail trade enterprises); supplementary time is possible within appropriate limits (eg, in case of emergency, and generally for a maximum of 2 hours a day and 170 hours a year). There is a limit of 50 hours per week for other workers; supplementary time is possible within appropriate limits (eg, in case of emergency, and generally for a maximum of 2 hours a day and 140 hours a year). Generally, working hours of employees should be recorded.
Overtime
Overtime must be compensated at 125 percent. The employee can consent to compensation by time off. As long as overtime is not over the maximum legal duration, the employer and the employee can have a written agreement providing for other compensation (eg, at 100 percent instead of 125 percent), or even no additional compensation at all, when the agreed salary arguably compensates the overtime and overtime is not much more than what could be expected when signing the contract.
Wages
No general legal minimum wage, except in the Neuchatel canton (minimum CHF21.09 per hour, adapted every year to the consumer price index), in the Jura canton (minimum CHF20.60 per hour, adapted every year to the consumer price index), in the Geneva canton (minimum CHF24.32 per hour, adapted every year to the consumer price index), in the Ticino canton (minimum CHF19.50 per hour, adapted every year to the consumer price index) and in the Basel-City canton (CHF21.70, adapted every year to the consumer price index). Minimum wages are sometimes stated in specific collective bargaining agreements and specific standard employment agreements.
Vacation
At least 4 weeks' vacation per year (5 weeks for employees under 20 years old), and generally 9 public holidays (depending on the canton).
Sick leave & pay
Sick leave is paid in proportion to increasing seniority. Companies and employees can opt for a derogatory scheme (eg, loss of earning insurance providing for 80 percent of salary, up to 720 daily indemnities).
Maternity/parental leave & pay
16 weeks' maternity leave after childbirth (14 weeks paid by the federal insurance and 2 additional weeks in the Geneva canton).2 weeks' leave for the other parent to be taken within the 1st 6 months following childbirth, paid by the federal insurance.
In the case of death of a parent shortly after the birth of the child, the other parent is entitled to longer maternity or paternity leave, paid by the federal insurance.
Employees who adopt a child under the age of 4 have a statutory right to 2-weeks' leave, paid by the federal insurance.
Other leave/time off work
Employees are entitled to short-term leaves for up to 3 days per case and 10 days in total per year to take care of a family member or partner with a health impairment. An employee who has a minor child whose health is seriously impaired due to illness or an accident is entitled to a care leave of up to 14 weeks.
Employees under the age of 30 are entitled to the equivalent of 1 week of unpaid leave per year for the purpose of carrying out unpaid leadership, care or advisory activities in connection with extracurricular youth work for cultural or social organizations and for related initial and ongoing training.
Other additional leaves (eg, wedding, funerals) may be stated in collective bargaining agreement or in an employment agreement.
