Switzerland: Employment and HR

Weekly global mobility alert covering immigration reforms in Estonia, Philippines work permit centralization, and Qatar's Qatarization developments for June 2026.

Das Schweizer Bundesgericht untersucht die entscheidende Unterscheidung zwischen Arbeits- und Beratungsverhältnissen in einem Fall, der einen als „Beratungsvertrag“ bezeichneten Vertrag betrifft. Die Entscheidung legt wichtige Kriterien für die Beurteilung fest, ob eine Arbeitsbeziehung einen Arbeitsvertrag darstellt, wobei Faktoren wie Aufsichtsbefugnis, organisatorische Integration und wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeit im Vordergrund stehen.

A refused Swiss work permit application is not only a setback. For an employer, HR team or global mobility function, it is a triage exercise. The immediate question is not simply whether the decision feels unfair, but whether the right response is an appeal, a stronger new filing, or a different employment or assignment structure.

Labour and Employment Comparative Guide for the jurisdiction of Switzerland, check out our comparative guides section to compare across multiple countries

Das «Whistleblowing» ist ein bedeutender Bestandteil des übergeordneten Risiko-Managements.

This article provides an overview of the most relevant employment law judgments handed down by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in 2024.

Switzerland does not grant residence simply because a non-EU/EFTA national is wealthy and wishes to retire here. Substantial assets may support an application, but they do not replace the need to show genuine retirement, special personal ties to Switzerland, no gainful activity and a credible Swiss residence plan.

CONVINUS Global Mobility Alert 20.2026 provides critical updates on immigration processing delays in Mexico affecting work permit timelines, and reminds UAE mainland employers of the June 30, 2026 deadline to increase Emiratization quotas by 1% to reach 9%, with significant penalties for non-compliance. The alert also covers Andorra's reduced 2026 immigration quota and includes a detailed analysis of the legal distinctions between employee secondment and local hiring in Switzerland.

The Swiss M&A market showed meaningful momentum in 2025, with deal activity and volume advancing beyond 2024 – yet tariff shocks and geopolitical uncertainties led to the year still landing slightly below expectations...

Labour and Employment Comparative Guide for the jurisdiction of Switzerland, check out our comparative guides section to compare across multiple countries

In its decision dated 7 July 2025, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court addressed the requirements for an objection against a wrongful termination (Art. 336b CO).

Terminations present legal challenges for employers: Deadlines, formal requirements, protection rules, and risks such as wrongful termination must be considered.