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Switzerland

Governed by the Labour Act (LTr) and Code of Obligations (CO). Statutory max 45 h/week (industrial/office) or 50 h/week (others). Overtime mandatorily compensated or paid at 125 %. Daily rest 11 h, weekly 35 h.

Reference authority: SECO · OFAS · Cantonal labour inspectorates

LTr + CO

Code

45-50 h

Max statutory week

+2 h

Max OT/week

11 h

Daily rest

35 h

Weekly rest

170 h

Annual OT cap

Statutory working time

LTr Art. 9

45 h industrial/office · 50 h other sectors

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Max office/industry	45 h/wk	LTr Art. 9 §1a	With employee consent
Max other sectors	50 h/wk	LTr Art. 9 §1b	Hospitality, agriculture
Daily max	12.5 h	LTr Art. 10	Within 14 h spread
Day work	Normal regime	LTr Art. 10	Beyond = OT

Executives

Outside LTr if salary >120k

Apprentices

Specific regime

Official sources

Labour Act (LTr) — Fedlex SECO — Labour law

Overtime

CO Art. 321c

Time off in lieu first · 125 % if paid

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Overtime	Compensated 1:1 in time	CO Art. 321c	With employee consent
OT pay	125 % pay	CO Art. 321c §3	If not compensated in time
OT beyond statutory	170 h/yr cap	LTr Art. 12	Senior exec. excluded
OT refusal	Possible if justified	CO Art. 321c	Except absolute urgency

CBA

May strengthen protections

Lump sum

Possible via CBA/contract

Official sources

Code of Obligations — Fedlex

Rest & breaks

LTr Art. 15-21

11 h daily rest · 35 h weekly · breaks based on workday

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Daily rest	11 consecutive h	LTr Art. 15a	May reduce once/week to 8 h
Weekly rest	35 consecutive h	LTr Art. 21	Includes full Sunday
Break	15 min (>5.5 h), 30 min (>7 h), 1 h (>9 h)	LTr Art. 15	Unpaid unless agreed
Comp rest	Night/Sunday work	LTr Art. 17b	+10 % minimum

Workers <18

12 h daily rest

Pregnant women

Enhanced protection

Official sources

LTr Art. 15-21 (Fedlex)

Night / Sunday / holiday work

LTr Art. 16-19

Night 11pm-6am prohibited by default · Sunday requires authorization

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Night work	SECO authorization	LTr Art. 17	Compensation: time or pay
Temporary night premium	+25 % pay	LTr Art. 17b	If irregular
Regular night comp	+10 % time off	LTr Art. 17b	If regular (25+ nights/yr)
Sunday work	SECO/cantonal authorization	LTr Art. 18-19	Includes cantonal holidays
Cantonal holidays	Up to 9 days	Cantonal law	Excluding Aug 1 federal

August 1

Federal national holiday

Cantons

Own lists

Official sources

LTr Art. 16-19 (Fedlex)

Time recording

LTr Art. 46

Tracking mandatory — exceptions for execs/high earners (waiver)

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Time tracking obligation	Hours worked + breaks	LTr Art. 46	All employees except exceptions
Possible waiver	Execs salary >120k gross	OLT1 Art. 73a	CBA or individual agreement
Retention	5 years	LTr Art. 46	Individual display recommended
Simplified tracking	OLT1 Art. 73b	OLT1 Art. 73b	Salary >70k + autonomy

Form

Paper, electronic, badge

Data

Inspectable by authority

Official sources

SECO — Working time

Remote & flex work

CO Art. 327a

No specific law · agreement recommended · professional expenses

Topic	Rule	Legal basis	Reference
Legal framework	No dedicated law	CO Art. 319+	Agreement recommended
Expense reimbursement	Necessary expenses mandatory	CO Art. 327a	Internet, electricity, office
Work accident	LAA applies	LAA Art. 7	At home for pro tasks
Cross-border workers	Tax treaty	FR-CH treaty	Max 40 % WFH FR without CH tax

Right to disconnect

Not statutory

Equality

Same rights as on-site

Official sources

CO Art. 327a (Fedlex)

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