Workplace rights & labour law
Your key rights as an employee under the Swiss Code of Obligations.
Contract & notice
- Probation period: 1 month by default, max 3 months.
- Default notice: 1 month in year 1, 2 months years 2–9, 3 months afterwards.
- Notice is not allowed during protected periods (e.g. illness, pregnancy) after probation.
Time off
- At least 4 weeks paid holiday per year (5 weeks under age 20).
- Maternity leave: 14 weeks at 80% pay; paternity leave: 2 weeks.
Pay & illness
- Salary continues during illness for a limited time (scales by canton) unless daily sickness insurance applies.
- Overtime is paid at 125% unless your contract says otherwise in writing.
- You can request a reference letter (Arbeitszeugnis) at any time.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules can differ by canton — always check the official source.