The Swiss labor market is very flexible and conditions are fundamentally regulated by the Code of Obligations (CO) and collective bargaining agreements (CCT).
Contract types
- Indefinite contract (CDI): is the most common. It has no end date and allows the employer or employee to terminate it, always respecting the agreed or legal notice period.
- Certified Term Contract (CDD): is signed for a specific period of time (e.g. winter season, maternity replacement).
- Temporary work: through agencies (Adecco, Manpower...), subject to specific contribution rules and very flexible notice.
Day and vacation
By law, every worker in Switzerland is entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks of paid vacation per year (5 weeks if under 20 years old). The "full-time" work schedule usually varies between 40 and 45 hours per week.
Illness and accidents
Almost all large employers have sickness loss of earnings insurance that ensures you receive your salary while you recover. In addition, the employer obligatorily pays insurance against work accidents.