Working hours & days
in Switzerland.

Q: Is there a maximum amount of overtime annually in Switzerland?

Employees can only be asked to work a maximum of 170 hours of overtime per year if working in an industry with a statutory working hour maximum of 45 hours per week . Employees working in an industry with a statutory working hour maximum of 50 hours per week can work up to 140 hours a year of overtime.

SALARY PAYMENT IN Swiss Franc (CHF)

CONTRACT LANGUAGES German / French / English

PAYROLL TAX 8.17% – 23.50%

PAYROLL CYCLE Monthly

TIME TO HIRE 24 hours

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What are the standard working hours in Switzerland?

The standard working hours in Switzerland depend on the sector an employee works in. However, the typical working week is around 42 hours per week. This can differ based on sector and bargaining agreements.

What are the standard working days in Switzerland?

The standard working days are Monday and Friday between 8 am and 6 pm.

How many hours can you work per week in Switzerland?

Employees can only work a statutory maximum hour limit of 45 or 50 hours a week, depending on the sector they work in. If the employer requires them to work more, they will be then working statutory overtime hours. There are special rules around what constitutes a legible reason to ask employees to work overtime in Switzerland.

How many hours is part-time work in Switzerland?

Employees are working on a part-time working basis if they work less than 90% of the average full-time hour’s amount.

How many hours is overtime in Switzerland?

Employers can only ask employees to work a maximum of 170 hours a year of statutory overtime for employees working under conditions of a 45-hour statutory work week or 140 hours a year if they are working on the statutory 50-hour work week. This works out to around a maximum of 2 overtime hours per day and is compensated at 125% salary. Employees can also request that time off is given in lieu of payment.

Is it illegal to work on the weekend in Switzerland?

It is generally prohibited for employees to work on Sundays and at night between 11 pm and 6 am in Switzerland unless the employer has been granted a special authorisation.

Does Switzerland have a four-day work?

Switzerland has not adopted or piloted a 4-day workweek program as of 2023.

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FAQs

Is there a maximum amount of overtime annually in Switzerland?

Employees can only be asked to work a maximum of 170 hours of overtime per year if working in an industry with a statutory working hour maximum of 45 hours per week. Employees working in an industry with a statutory working hour maximum of 50 hours per week can work up to 140 hours a year of overtime.

What is the rate for overtime pay in Switzerland?

Overtime is compensated at 125% of the employee’s salary. Employees can also request that time off is given in lieu of payment.

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