Working in Switzerland
Latest news and need-to-know information from Switzerland on work culture, workers' rights, workplace etiquette and rules, trade unions, taxes, salaries, and more.
Can I get time off work for moving house in Switzerland?
If your move is taking place during the week, you may wonder if your Swiss employer will give you time off from work. Here’s what you should know.
Zurich and Wintertur's minimum wages get green light from top court
Switzerland's Federal Court has ruled in favour of allowing Zurich and Wintertur to set a minimum wage after years of legal wrangling threatened to prevent the measures coming into force.
How Artificial Intelligence is re-shaping job application process in Switzerland
AI is transforming job application processes in Switzerland, but candidates are adopting this technology significantly faster than employers, a new study found.
Do you need a sick note on your first day off in Switzerland?
More and more Swiss employers are requiring a medical certificate from the employee's first day of absence. However, doctors are not happy about this trend.
Why 2026 is a good year for retirees in Switzerland
Thanks to sound investments, 2025 was a lucrative year for second-pillar pensions – including for foreign workers employed in Switzerland. And they will benefit in 2026.
How bad would worker shortages be if Switzerland backs anti-immigration proposal?
Switzerland relies heavily on people from the EU to fill the gaps in its labour market. A new study shows how significant the shortage could be with the approval of the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative in a referendum on June 14th.
‘No benefit to economy’: Switzerland examines much-talked about immigration tax
Swiss government ministers have analysed a parliamentary report about the viability of proposed immigration tax - an ‘entry fee’ that foreign nationals would have to pay if they settle in Switzerland.
In numbers: How Swiss salaries increase with age
While Swiss wages do go up with age, this trend varies considerably from one sector to another, a new government study reveals.
Who determines what kind of Swiss work permit you receive?
Switzerland has several different types of work permits. Which one you are eligible to obtain depends on various factors.
Further job cuts are underway in Switzerland
Two Lucerne companies have this week joined the long list of Switzerland-based firms that are cutting their workforce.
What are employees in Switzerland entitled to when leaving a job?
Regardless of whether you leave your employment voluntarily or not, your company in Switzerland is obligated to provide you with certain documents and sometimes also financial compensation.
When does your Swiss employer have to pay you for travel to and from work?
Depending on the distance from your home to work, your commute, whether by car or public transport, could end up being quite expensive. Will the company you work for in Switzerland refund these costs?
What are EU/EFTA citizens entitled to in Switzerland compared to non- EU nationals?
You've probably noticed that people from the European Union, as well as Norway Iceland, and Liechtenstein (so-called EFTA countries) are treated differently in Switzerland than their counterparts from outside the EU. Why is that and what are they each entitled to?
Which Swiss job sectors have seen the highest wage increases?
Salaries in Switzerland went up in 2025, but disparities exist among sectors, a new government study reveals.
Can a Swiss employer ask you to prove you don't have debt problems?
Some jobseekers in Switzerland have complained about being asked, during a recruitment process, to provide an extract from a debt enforcement office proving no defaulted payments. But is this practice legal?
What can Switzerland do now that retirees outnumber young people?
For the first time, Switzerland’s residents over the age of 65 outnumber those under 20. The phenomenon could have serious implications on the country’s future as well as on government policy.
How Switzerland wants to keep pensioners working longer in life
Faced with serious labour shortages and dwindling pension funds, Switzerland wants to encourage people to stay in their jobs longer.
Which job sectors in Switzerland are recruiting most foreign workers?
Nearly 1.9 million foreigners are currently employed in Switzerland, but some industries are recruiting them more actively than others.
More jobs are set to be cut in Switzerland in 2026
Over 2,000 more employees will lose their jobs, as yet another Swiss company announces a wave of redundancies.
When can a Swiss employer refuse to pay your salary?
Swiss labour law protects workers’ rights, but in some cases it can also give leeway to employers – including in matters related to wages.
REVEALED: Are these the 'best' international companies to work for in Switzerland?
Many multi-national companies have offices in Switzerland, and some are ranked among the country’s best employers.
Why workers in Switzerland are more likely to be underpaid in certain cantons
Wages in Switzerland are generally higher than almost everywhere else in Europe. But that doesn’t mean everyone is paid fairly.
What you need to know about the 225,000 job vacancies in Switzerland
Even though the Swiss unemployment rate is expected to rise slightly in 2026, there are currently a total of 225,358 jobs advertised across the country – with some sectors more in demand than others.