Recent developments in Switzerland
Employment law is always changing, and keeping up with it is a lot of work. Thankfully, our team is always working to stay abreast of the latest changes, so you don’t have to. Here are some of the newest developments in Switzerland.
Changes to retirement age (2024)
As of 1 January 2024, new legislation approved by public referendum means that the age for normal retirement for women will increase from 64 years to 65. This will bring it in line with the current retirement age for men. The change will happen gradually, with the ‘reference age’ increasing by three months each year from 2025 to 2028. The legislation also introduced more flexible retirement options, with employees able to retire early from the age of 63 or defer retirement until the age of 70.
Expansion of parental leave rights (2024)
Beginning in 2024, Swiss legislation will extend parental leave to 18 weeks for mothers and 6 weeks for fathers. This change aims to enhance family support and promote gender equality in caregiving roles, ensuring both parents have the opportunity to bond with their newborns.
Enhanced workplace protections against harassment (2024)
New regulations will be implemented in 2024 to strengthen protections against harassment in the workplace. Employers will be required to establish clear policies, provide training, and ensure reporting mechanisms are in place to address harassment effectively.
Implementation of a four-day workweek pilot program (2024)
In 2024, Switzerland will launch a pilot program allowing select companies to trial a four-day workweek. This initiative aims to improve work-life balance and productivity, with participating companies encouraged to evaluate the impact on employee well-being and organisational performance.
New regulations on employee data protection (2024)
Effective from March 2024, updated data protection regulations will come into force, requiring employers to enhance their practices regarding the handling of employee personal data. These regulations emphasise transparency, data minimization, and the rights of employees to access and control their personal information.
