From finding a new job to moving house or embarking on a new adventure like starting your own business or studying, there are many reasons why you might want to resign from a job in Switzerland. If you decide to leave your job in Switzerland, there are a few rules and regulations that you must navigate. This page walks you through the resignation process.
When an employment relationship comes to an end, we are talking about the work contract that exists between the employer and the employee being terminated. However, the difference between termination and resignation comes down to who does the terminating: if the employee wants to terminate the employment relationship, then this is known as resigning. If the employer terminates the relationship, this is usually referred to as termination or dismissal.
This page focuses on resigning.
Before you quit a job in Switzerland, you need to carefully consider any potential implications it might have for your residence status. If you are a non-EU citizen living and working in Switzerland on a residence permit, you need to be in gainful employment in order to fulfil the terms of your permit. It’s therefore a good idea to not submit your resignation until you have a new job lined up (and have signed a contract).
In any case, you should speak to your local council (Gemeinde) before quitting your job to discuss the potential implications that resigning might have on your immigration status.
Before resigning from a job in Switzerland, it’s a good idea to also make sure you know exactly what your notice period is. Indeed, if you are looking for a new job, your potential future employer will want to know exactly when you can start working for them.
Unless otherwise stated in your employment contract (or a collective employment contract), notice periods in Switzerland are as follows:
“From the last day of the month” means that the notice period only starts at the end of the month in which you submitted your notice. For instance, if you handed in your resignation on July 15 and your notice period is one month from the last day of the month, your notice period will start on August 1 and your contract will end on August 31. The same is true if you hand in your resignation on July 30.
Your employer can decide to release you from your notice obligation, at their discretion.
Fixed-term contracts automatically end on the agreed date. They generally cannot be terminated early except in serious cases, for instance if your employer is withholding your salary or workplace conditions are unsafe, or if your contract specifies otherwise. Employer and employee can, however, agree to end a fixed-term contract early. In this case, it might be wise to consult with a lawyer.
If you fall ill during your notice period and have to take sick leave, the notice period pauses and only resumes when you return to work.
If you have unused holiday days, you should generally be allowed to use them during your notice period. Your employer is only allowed to deny such requests in exceptional business-related circumstances.
If you are unable to take your holiday days, your employer will pay them out at the end of your contract - but be aware that this payout will then be subject to taxation.
If you decide you want to terminate your employment contract in Switzerland, you must inform your employer of your intention. While you may wish to schedule a face-to-face meeting with your line manager or HR team to let them know, you might also need to inform your employer in writing.
Your employment contract itself will lay out the specific terms for a termination, so be sure to check it to make sure you are following your company’s protocol.
When drafting your resignation letter, you’ll need to include a few key details.
A resignation letter follows a pretty standard structure in Switzerland. It must be signed and dated, and include the following information:
In Switzerland, you do not need to provide a reason for your resignation, but your employer is entitled to ask. If they do, it’s best to provide your response in writing.
In Switzerland, a termination is only considered “valid” from the date that your employer actually receives notice. If you are sending your resignation letter in the post, therefore, you might want to pay extra for recorded delivery, so that you can be sure your employer has received it. You could alternatively hand the letter to your employer in person.
It’s a good idea to print out two copies of your resignation letter. That way, you can send one to your employer and keep the other one for your own records.
Once you have submitted your letter, it’s a good idea to get confirmation from your employer that they have received it. You can then together confirm what your last day of employment will be.
If you work at a large or international company in Switzerland, it’s likely that they will want to schedule an exit interview with you as a departing employee. This is a chance for both employer and employee to have a candid conversation about your experience working for the company. You can expect to be asked about:
No matter the reasons why you are leaving, it’s best to keep the tone of this conversation light and professional. You want to leave a good last impression, not only for your work certificate (see below) but also because you may one day want to return to the company. You should focus on positive aspects of your role, with some constructive criticisms, if you have any.
One relatively unique part of the resignation process in Switzerland is the work certificate. This is a document that your employer is required to give to you at the end of your employment, once you have carried out your notice period.
It is a kind of reference letter, written by your manager or HR department, and will contain details about you and the work you have carried out in your position. While mostly written in a neutral tone, work certificates in Switzerland are supposed to be comprehensive and truthful - containing both good and (if necessary) bad.
It is likely that any prospective employer will request work certificates from your previous role(s), so it is important that you receive this document and keep it safe.