Employment contracts, dismissal, discrimination claims, executive compensation and workforce restructuring.
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Rights vary by country, but typically include notice periods, severance pay and the right to challenge unfair dismissal. An employment lawyer can assess your specific situation.
Yes — employment contracts must generally comply with local law regardless of the employer's home country. A local lawyer should review any contract before you sign.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Switzerland's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsArbeitsvertrag (Employment Contract) under OR art. 319-362 is the foundational agreement between employer and employee. Must specify position, duties, compensation, and termination terms. Oral contracts valid but written contracts (schriftlicher Arbeitsvertrag) strongly recommended. Employees entitled to itemized pay stubs (Lohnausweis) showing gross salary, deductions (AHV, ALV, BVG), and MWST withholdings.
Kündigungsfristen (Notice Periods) per OR art. 335c escalate by service duration: 1 month during first trial period (typically 3 months); 1 month after trial; up to 3 months by either party after 10 years service (OR art. 335c). Fristlose Kündigung (dismissal without notice) only for "important cause" (justified grounds). Wrongful dismissal claims (OR art. 337c) entitle employee to up to 6 months' salary in damages.
Ferienanspruch (Annual Leave): Minimum 4 weeks per OR art. 329a; workers under 20 entitled to 5 weeks. Partial days count toward annual entitlement. Unused vacation (Ferienausfallentschädigung) must be paid if employer-denied; rarely can employer buy out accrued leave.
Überzeit (Overtime) under OR art. 321c: Hours exceeding 45/week paid at 25% surcharge (or time-off equivalent). Shift work (Schichtarbeit) and hazardous duties have enhanced compensation. GAV (Gesamtarbeitsvertrag – collective labor agreement) applies to ~40% of Swiss workforce; GAV rates often exceed statutory minimums.
No Federal Minimum Wage exists in Switzerland; cantons set own floors. Geneva: CHF 24.32/hr (2024); most cantons ~CHF 20-23/hr. Federal level: market-based wages assumed; low-wage sectors typically covered by GAV minimums.
Case Study: Geneva expat employed 8 years, dismissed without cause after performance review. OR art. 337c entitles wrongful dismissal claim. Salary: CHF 8,000/month. Up to 6 months (CHF 48,000) damages + legal costs (CHF 10,000-15,000 attorney fees at CHF 350-400/hr). Mediation often settles at 3-4 months salary (~CHF 24,000-32,000). Timeline: 6-18 months (negotiation 2-4 weeks; litigation 1+ year if contested).
