Weekly working time
Under Swiss law, maximum weekly working time for white-collar employees in
industrial undertakings, office staff, technical personnel and other
white-collar employees, including the sales staff of large retail enterprises,
is 45 hours.
The upper limit for all other employed persons is 50 hours per
week. If you wish to know more about this subject, you can consult the Federal
Labour Law for Industry, Commerce and Trade (the Labour Law).
Average working time in Swiss
enterprises in 2002 was 41.5 hours (source: Federal Statistical
Office).
Organisation of working time
The organisation of working time is a matter for the employer, who, however,
must observe the relevant statutory requirements (rest periods, breaks, leave,
time off at weekends and prohibition of night-time and Sunday working) and must
ask employees for their views before working schedules are fixed, so that the
personal needs of individual staff members can as far as possible be taken into
account. For further information, it is best to approach your employer or the
competent authority direct.
Overtime
Overtime, which is governed by Article 321c of the Code of Obligations (OR)
and defined as working hours over and above the agreed working time – and must
not exceed the maximum working time laid down by the Labour Law – must as a
general rule be remunerated at the rate of 125% or, by agreement with the
employer, be offset by equivalent time off. However, different arrangements may
be contractually agreed between employer and employee.
Overtime as provided for
in the Labour Law is defined as additional hours in excess of the maximum weekly
working time of 45 or 50 hours. It is compulsory for these hours to be
remunerated at the rate of 125% or, if the employee agrees, offset by at least
equal time off.
Special provisions
An entitlement to special remuneration arises for work performed at night, on
Sundays and during holidays. For regular night work, for example, the Labour Law
has since 1 August 2003 stipulated compulsory additional time-based compensation
of 10%; this applies to all employees in cases where financial compensation is
precluded (except when a person’s employment ends).
If you would like further information on this subject, you can approach your
employer direct or contact the Labour Directorate of the State Secretariat for
the Economy.
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.
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