Holiday leave
In Switzerland, the law mandates a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation for employees each year. However, this increases to five weeks for those under the age of 20. If an employee works for only part of the year, their leave is calculated on a proportional basis.
Scheduling and Unused Leave
The scheduling of vacation time is typically a mutual agreement between the employer and employee, taking into consideration the operational needs of the business. It is a requirement that at least two weeks of the vacation time should be taken consecutively. As a rule, the vacation should be utilized within the year it is earned, and it cannot be substituted with a monetary compensation.
Collective Agreements and Contracts
In many sectors, and with individual employers, there are enhanced vacation entitlements that exceed the legal minimums. This means that some employees may be entitled to more vacation leave than what is legally required.
Public holidays
Switzerland celebrates a variety of public holidays, some of which are observed nationwide, while others are specific to each of the country's 26 cantons.
National Holiday
Switzerland's National Day is celebrated on August 1st. This day commemorates the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291.
Cantonal Holidays
In addition to the National Day, each canton in Switzerland determines its own public holidays. Some of the common holidays observed in various cantons include:
- New Year's Day on January 1st
- Berchtoldstag on January 2nd
- Good Friday, which falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday, the day after Easter Sunday
- Labor Day on May 1st
- Ascension Day, 39 days after Easter Sunday
- Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday, 50 days after Easter
- Corpus Christi, 60 days after Easter
- Assumption Day on August 15th
- All Saints' Day on November 1st
- Christmas Day on December 25th
- St. Stephen's Day or Boxing Day on December 26th
It's important to note that these holidays can vary greatly between cantons. Therefore, it's recommended to check the specific canton you're interested in for their list of holidays. Additionally, some municipalities have their own local holidays.
Types of leave
In Switzerland, employees are entitled to various types of leave. These include annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and other notable leave types such as military (civil protection) leave, youth service leave, and bereavement leave.
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave per year. Employees under 20 years of age have at least a five-week entitlement. This is referenced in the Code of Obligations (OR), Art. 329a; Labour Act (ArG), Art. 32.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to paid sick leave after completing their probationary period. The duration often depends on length of service and is outlined in company policies or employment contracts. This is referenced in the Code of Obligations (OR), Art. 324a.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks (98 days) of paid maternity leave. This is referenced in the Code of Obligations (OR), Art. 329f; Federal Act on Loss of Earnings Compensation (EOG/LAPG).
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave within the first six months after the child's birth. This is referenced in the Federal Act on Loss of Earnings Compensation (EOG/LAPG).
Other Notable Leave Types
Military (Civil Protection) Leave
Paid leave for fulfilling military or civil protection service.
Youth Service Leave
Employees under 30 years of age are entitled to unpaid leave for youth service activities.
Bereavement Leave
Employees are often granted a short leave (usually a few days) for the death of an immediate family member.
Important Considerations
Many sectors and individual employers offer enhanced leave entitlements beyond the legal minimums. Individual employment contracts also often specify details on leave. Some cantons may have specific regulations regarding certain types of leave.