by Lea Hauke
Published on June 26, 2024
The ultimate guide to work culture in Switzerland
For many, working in Switzerland sounds like a dream scenario. A relatively high number of paid vacation days, a great work-life balance and high salaries are often listed among the reasons why so many people decide to move to Switzerland. Even so, navigating the different aspects of Swiss work culture can come as a challenge to those starting a new job in the country.
To prepare you for what you can expect in terms of work schedules, company hierarchies and business etiquette, we’ve created this guide to professional culture, the Swiss way.
Typical Swiss working hours are fairly predictable: Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mostpeople work around 40 hours a week, though this can vary depending on the job and employment status (i.e. full-time or part-time). It’s also worth noting that some younger companies and startups in Switzerland are beginning to experiment with more flexible hours — or even a four-day workweek!
Employees in Switzerland are entitled to a 15-minute break if a shift stretches longer than five and a half hours. That break bumps up to 30 minutes if the shift stretches longer than seven hours. People working more than nine hours in one day are legally entitled to a one-hour break. They also have the option to split this break into two or more shorter breaks.
It’s difficult to generalize about company hierarchies in Switzerland, as this can differ significantly from one company to another. While an increasing number of companies take a more casual approach, many others still take hierarchical structures very seriously. This is especially true for companies with a high number of employees, in which decisions are only made by chief executives.
If you’re starting a new job and you’re unsure about how to interact with your Swiss superiors, observe the behavior of other employees. In companies with a strong hierarchical structure, employees tend not to share too many personal details.
The same goes for your business attire. If you’re not 100% sure if jeans are appropriate, you’re better off wearing a suit (or at least a white dress shirt) to work.
Communication in Swiss business culture is another aspect that varies between companies. However, there are some tips you can follow if you want to play it safe in a new role. For example, if you’re working in a German- or French–speaking company, it’s best to use the polite form (Sie or vous) when addressing your colleagues and superiors.
Small talk occurs regularly in some work environments, but it’s less common in more traditional business establishments. Typically, work and private life are kept separate and oversharing is rather frowned upon in Swiss business culture. This doesn’t mean you should be cold or standoffish to your coworkers, though. Trust your gut when phrasing personal questions or talking about your weekend activities.
If someone invites you to a company meeting, don’t simply be on time — come at least 10 minutes early. Punctuality isn’t just a Swiss cliché. It’s one of the core values in Swiss culture, and a great way to show your respect.
While you shouldn’t expect to work less than what you signed up for, you can also expect your time away from work to be respected. Private time is valued in Swiss business culture, which is why you shouldn’t disturb colleagues on the weekend or on their day off to ask about work-related matters. On weekends, people in Switzerland use their time off to socialize, spend time with their families and friends and entertain themselves with different outdoor activities.
Speaking of time off, the minimum annual leave in Switzerland is four weeks. On top of that, there’s an average of nine public holidays a year. Many businesses also close their offices for approximately one week during Christmas.
As an expat, working in Switzerland can sound very desirable due to a minimum of four weeks annual leave and potential high salaries. Work-life balance in Switzerland is important, but so is showing a high work ethic. While working hours in Switzerland are pretty standard, startups and younger companies are beginning to challenge the traditional approach with more
