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WORKING IN SWITZERLAND

Reader question: How can I find out if my Swiss employer is underpaying me?

Wages in Switzerland are generally higher than almost everywhere else in Europe. But how can you know if you are being paid enough — and what can you do if you are not?

Reader question: How can I find out if my Swiss employer is underpaying me?
There are ways to find out if your employer pays you fairly. Image by myshoun from Pixabay

Obviously, some jobs and industries pay more (or less) than others, so your salary will be based on a general pay scale for your specific position within that sector.

It is also determined by other factors, such as your education, skills, experience, length of employment, and the canton / city where you work.

For instance, if you work in Zurich, Geneva, or Basel, you are likely to earn more than someone employed in a similar job in a small town or rural area.

Based on all these variables, your pay may very well be lower — or higher — than that of other employees in your company or sector.

However, regardless of where in Switzerland you work, there are ways to find out whether you are being compensated sufficiently for the kind of work and position you have, or whether your salary is lower than normal for your industry (a practice known as “wage dumping”).

Swiss labour practices

While some employers have been accused of wage dumping, this is not a widespread practice in Switzerland, and is predominantly limited to small companies that subcontract work.

The country has strong labour laws which protect workers in terms of wages, work conditions, and other employment-related rights.

In addition to the basic rules and conditions outlined in this legislation, many employees are also covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CLA), a kind of contract that is negotiated between Switzerland’s trade unions and employers.

Generally speaking, they cover a minimum wage for each type of work; regulations relating to work hours; payment of wages in the event of illness or maternity; vacation and days off; and protection against dismissal.

CLAs are sector-specific; in other words, they take into account the particular aspects of each branch. As an example, Switzerland’s largest labour union, The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (UNIA), maintains 265 collective agreements in the areas of industry and construction.

READ  MORE: What is a Swiss collective bargaining agreement — and how could it benefit you?

So if your company and employees are covered by a CLA, you can be sure that you are getting a fair wage — and that your other rights are protected as well.

What if your company has not concluded a CLA?

In this case, you are still protected by the above-mentioned labour legislation, which ensures that your welfare and rights are being respected.

You will also sign an employment contract with your company, which outlines your salary, rights and obligations, as well as everything your employer can and cannot do, or expect from you.

According to a government site, “in professional sectors that do not have a collective employment agreement, the federal or cantonal authorities can establish a standard employment contract …The employer can only modify these conditions to offer better terms for employees.”

Due diligence

If you want to know what a standard wage is for your type of job and industry you can do so by checking out the wage calculator created by UNIA. 

It is programmed with the latest salary levels from 72 different industry sectors and 36,000 companies in Switzerland, so it will give you a good indication of what a fair wage is in your case.

If the pay your employer is offering you is below the industry standard, you have the option of not accepting the job.

In case you are already working and realise your employer is short-changing you — especially based on your nationality, race, gender or disability — there are some options open to you, all of which are outlined on this government site

If a court or another official body decides the employer was paying you unfairly, the company will have to repay the wage difference.

READ MORE: How much do you need to earn in your Swiss canton to be well off?

 
 
 

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For members

TAXES

Do I have to pay tax on a ‘side’ job in Switzerland?

As the tax deadline in most Swiss cantons (March 31st) is fast approaching, you may be wondering whether you need to declare ‘side’ jobs on your tax declaration.

Do I have to pay tax on a ‘side’ job in Switzerland?

Much depends on what you mean by a ‘side’ and a ‘job’,

Say you did a favour for someone and that person expressed gratitude by giving you 100 francs.

If you are a hardcore law follower, then yes, you can include that 100 francs on your income tax return.

But if you don’t declare it, you are not a tax evader. After all, that 100 francs was not, for all intents and purposes’ an ‘income,’ so you are in the clear.

However, this leeway does not apply to money you earn from any actual work you perform, including second jobs (the one you may have in addition to your main employment) as well as freelance income.

This is how it works

In principle, you must pay tax on earnings from all employment in Switzerland.

If you are  a foreign citizen (for instance, a cross-border worker) subject to at-source taxation (withholding tax) — then you don’t have to worry about declaring your wages.

That’s because your company deducts the tax from your salary each month and sends this amount to cantonal authorities on your behalf.

But most people working in Switzerland (whether Swiss or foreign nationals) must include all their income (from work and other sources), as well as other assets may they have, on tax forms they fill out and send to tax authorities each year.

That includes income from all your jobs — that is primary, secondary, ‘and side’.

READ ALSO: Does your nationality determine how much taxes you will pay in Switzerland?

Will the ‘extra’ work you declare on your tax return raise your tax bracket?

It depends on how much income this side job generates, as well as the tax rate of your canton (which is the lowest in Zug and highest in Geneva).

READ ALSO: Why does the canton of Zug have Switzerland’s lowest taxes?

If you earn a significant amount, then, yes, you will have to pay more income tax. But if it is little money, then you shouldn’t worry about a dramatic jump.

This, by the way, applies not only to extra work, but to any job.

If you are a freelancer and earn little money (by Swiss standards) , then your tax burden will be quite low.

This income must, however, be declared, and you will have to pay self-employment tax on it, as a contribution to the social security scheme — at a maximum rate of  9.7 percent of your income.

You can also take out a second-pillar pension  with an insurance company, though, contrary to ‘regular’ workers, this is not required if you are self-employed.

If you need to know more about paying Swiss taxes as a freelancer, this article will help:

READ ALSO: What freelancers in Switzerland need to know about paying tax

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