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WORKING IN SWITZERLAND

‘Positive vibes’: Why a Swiss company wants to employ a happiness officer

If you are looking for a new, mostly uncharted career path in Switzerland, you may want to apply for this highly unusual vacancy — but only if you have the right skills (and you're cheerful enough).

Published: 11 January 2023 15:55 CET
'Positive vibes': Why a Swiss company wants to employ a happiness officer
The new employee can make his colleagues happy even when working from home. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

A law firm located in the Valais capital of Sion has an employment opportunity for a serious candidate — but not too serious.

Attorney Sébastien Fanti has posted a job advert on his social media, which is likely to make many people — including his employees — very happy.

His firm, Lexing Switzerland, has an opening for a CHO, an acronym he created, which stands for “Chief Happiness Officer.”

Though it may sound trivial, this position is nothing to laugh at — or, wait, perhaps it is.

Be it as it may, the new CHO will be responsible for keeping up the spirits of the legal team working for Fanti.

The person’s duties will include “preserving the morale” of the stressed-out employees, “spreading favourable and positive vibes,” “soothing tensions,” and “relativising the problems through humour (if necessary, corrosive)”.

But that’s not all the chief happiness officer would have to do.

Other tasks are a bit more serious. For example, another duty would be ensuring “a democratic debate on societal issues that fall within the scope of justice”.

The advert doesn’t specify what education, experience, or credentials are needed for this job, only saying that “the position requires a sense of commitment, good adaptability, listening ability, and a natural friendliness”.

While no wage is indicated, the perks of the job include the ability to work part-time from home, as well as free rein in deciding how happiness should be spread through the company.

A clown

Nope, this job is not for you. Photo: Capotina Capotina on Pexels

Driven by the weather

Interviewed by the Swiss media, Fanti said he “wrote this ad in 20 minutes, because the weather prevented me from going skiing”.

He pointed out, however, that a CHO idea is not purely a gimmick.

“Our job is difficult as we handle other people’s problems,” he said. “The happiness of those who work with me is essential, but I don’t necessarily have the time to take care of it myself.”

Fanti said he has already received dozens of, um, serious offers, but if you are interested in this position, you can still apply until January 15th by proposing your candidacy by email. 

From hermit to crier

If you think that this is the oddest job ever advertised in Switzerland, you are wrong.

Back in 2016, the town of Solothurn was looking for a hermit to live in an isolated cave-like cabin and take care of a nearby chapel and gorge — a position that has existed since the 15th century.

The successful applicant didn’t have to spread happiness but he did have to “dispense wisdom” and talk to tourists.

Only about 20 people applied for the job, presumably because others just didn’t want to come out of their seclusion.

The job eventually went to a German former police officer.

READ MORE: German ex-policeman is Swiss city’s new hermit 

Another unusual job opportunity came up in Lausanne in 2021, when the city administration advertised for a high (literally) position of a town crier — an insomniac with a melodious voice to announce hours every night between 10 pm and 2 am from the bell tower of the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, as has been the case since 1405.

The job eventually went — for the first time in history — to a woman, Cassandre Berdoz. She filled all the criteria, which included being able to climb 53 stone steps to the cathedral’s bell tower and not falling asleep on the job.

READ MORE: Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier
 

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WORKING IN SWITZERLAND

Six ways working in Switzerland is better than in the US

Sometimes it is difficult to compare different systems because much of the context is missing. But when looking at employment conditions in Switzerland and the United States from a purely factual perspective, some conclusions can be drawn.

Published: 14 June 2024 14:23 CEST
Six ways working in Switzerland is better than in the US

In terms on politics, social system, demographics, and economy, Switzerland and America are, both literally and figuratively,  worlds apart.

But if you are a US citizen who is moving to Switzerland for professional reasons (and lucky enough to be granted a work permit as a third country national), then you may want to know how the Swiss employment system compares with the American one.

Let’s look at general differences — that is, laws and practices applicable to the working population as a whole, and not just relating to the most fortunate employees like top-level executives, who typically have more benefits than the rank-and-file workers.

Wages

Much depends on your professional level, of course, but generally speaking, on average employees in Switzerland earn more than their US counterparts.

An average annual income in Switzerland is about 80,000 francs, while in the US it amounts to $59,428 (53,000 francs).

You may argue that cost of living is lower in the United States, so the money foes further there. This is true in a general sense, but on the other hand, taxes are lower in Switzerland.

Workers in Switzerland have more statuary protections

Swiss law grants certain rights to its employees, which the US legislation doesn’t.

For instance, Swiss workers are entitled to at least four weeks’ of paid vacation time per year.  

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about annual leave in Switzerland

In the US, on the other hand, there is no statutory minimum paid vacation. Instead, this is left up to the employers’ discretion.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about one–third of private industry workers received 10 to 14 days of paid vacation after one year of service. After 10 years of service, 33 percent of private industry workers received between 15 and 19 days of paid vacation.

‘Sick days’

Swiss employment law only mandates that employers offer basic paid sick leave: generally, three weeks in your first year in the job, rising with each additional year to around four months max, depending on the canton.

However, many Swiss employers take out insurance that covers a more generous sick pay deal.

In the US, on the other hand, no law guarantees workers a single paid day off, and many aren’t even entitled to unpaid time.

According to BLS, only 77 percent of the private sector workforce has paid sick time. This means that almost one in four workers do not have even a single paid sick day. 

Work-life balance

This phrase is used to describe a division of time between work and leisure activities. This means the ability to successfully combine work, family commitments, and personal life .

Here too, Switzerland (and Europe in general) has a definite edge.

The Better Life Index by the Organisaton for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), found that  “in Switzerland, full-time workers devote a similar amount of their day on average to personal care (eating, sleeping, etc.) and leisure (socialising with friends and family, hobbies, games, computer and television use, etc.) as the OECD average of 15 hours.”  

 In the US, on the other hand, employees devote “less than the OECD average of 15 hours” to their non-work related activities.

Health insurance

Most US residents who are employed get their health insurance through their company.

In Switzerland, on the other hand, individuals are responsible for purchasing their own policies from one of the dozens of insurance providers.

It is difficult to say which approach is better; however, not having one’s health insurance tied to (and dependent on) a specific employer means that a person won’t be left without a coverage if he or she loses their job — even more so, considering how expensive medical care is in the United States.

READ ALSO: How does Switzerland’s healthcare system compare with the US? 

Unemployment benefits

If you have worked — and paid into the Swiss social security system — for 12 months in the past two years, you are entitled to 260 days (approximately 37 weeks) worth of unemployment allowance.

In the case that you had been employed for at least 18 months, you will collect for 400 days.

Workers in most US states, on the other hand, are eligible for only 26 weeks of unemployment allowances.

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