Pregnancy, maternity and paternity

Women benefit from special protection when they are pregnant and in the first few months after giving birth.

Employers must ensure that pregnant or breastfeeding employees are able to work in conditions appropriate for their circumstances to protect their health and that of their child. They must ascertain whether their company environment is compliant. Adjustments to the work they perform should also be considered.

For example, it seems obvious that a pregnant woman should not have to carry heavy loads or work in a smoky office. If the risks assessed are too high, the employer must find her equivalent work which shows due respect for her health.

Maternity leave

After giving birth, a female worker is entitled to maternity leave of at least 14 weeks (or 98 days). During this period, the employer must pay 80% of her salary.

While they are pregnant, and in the first few months following delivery of the baby, women are protected by law against wrongful dismissal. They also benefit from maternity insurance. There are special publications about women’s rights during pregnancy and maternity which can be found on the SECO website: Schwangerschaft und Mutterschaft (only in German).

Breastfeeding

During the first year of the child’s life, the time necessary for breastfeeding is counted as work time paid within the following limits:

for a working day of ≤ 4 h = 30 min;
for a working day of > 4 h = 60 min;
for a working day of > 7 h = 90 min.

At their request, breastfeeding women must be able to lie down and rest in suitable conditions. They must give their consent to be employed and, on ordinary notice, they may be exempted from going to work or may leave work.

Paternity Leave

In Switzerland, the federal law does not provide for the right to paternity leave. When a child is born, the father can request for leave which will be treated as normal leave (Art.329. Abs.3 OR).

Today, fathers are generally authorized to take one or two days of paid leave. Some sectors and companies, however, provide for paternity leave. The length of the leave and the amount of allowance vary from one sector to another and from one company to another.