close

Swiss man risks getting fired after admitting he works 77 hours a week

Swiss man risks getting fired after admitting he works 77 hours a week

Ever fancied being on the clock from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday? If so, weirdly, you are not alone: according to 20 minuten, one person has admitted to working 11 hours a day, 330 hours a month at three different jobs. Experts have labelled the idea "completely illegal" and a breach of the rules on working hours in Switzerland.

Swiss man works 330 hours a month, 76,9 hours a week

Speaking to 20 minuten, the man, who wished to remain anonymous, said that “overall, I work almost 200 percent. In June alone I worked around 330 hours, around 180 of them for my main employer.” “I work for the [Swiss company] in the mornings and in the evenings in the restaurant. It's a good change for me," he explained.

In all, this means he worked an average of 11 hours a day from Monday to Sunday - hours which are illegal in all Swiss cantons. "Every day I risk it being exposed. Then I could face termination," he admitted. After deductions are made for social security, he earns up to 9.000 Swiss francs a month.

“I sleep an average of three hours. If I get tired during the day, I might take another power nap,” the man noted. When asked why he would do something so unhealthy, he said that he enjoyed working, especially in the catering industry. “I feel able to work more than 100 percent. I'm also planning to emigrate when I'm 35. I want to earn and save enough money now so that I don't have to do as much later," he explained.

Working over 50 hours a week highly illegal in Switzerland

Speaking to 20 minuten, labour law expert Roger Rudolph said that "according to Swiss labour law, the maximum working time limit is 45 to 50 hours per week. That applies to all activities overall,” making the 76,9 hours the man works extremely illegal. 

He added that it was “highly questionable” as to whether he is able to come to work well rested enough to perform his job as required. Rudolph concluded that the man risks losing his job over working so much, and should inform his main employer so that they can “create a legally compliant situation.”

Jan de Boer

Author

Jan de Boer

Editor for Switzerland at IamExpat Media. Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most...

Read more

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (0)

COMMENTS

Leave a comment