Job notification requirements to be introduced

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Switzerland will introduce new job notification requirements in July.

What does the change mean? Starting July 1, employers in sectors where unemployment tops 8 percent will be required to advertise open jobs to people seeking work through Switzerland’s Public Employment Service for five days before others can access the job notifications. The measure is part of Switzerland’s effort to promote the local workforce. The country will extend the requirement to employers in sectors where unemployment tops 5 percent on Jan. 1, 2020.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Who is affected: Swiss employers in economic sectors with high unemployment.  
• Impact on processing times: The change may slow procedures for hiring non-Swiss nationals for some jobs because employers will be required to post jobs to Swiss candidates only for at least five days before non-Swiss workers will be able to learn of them.
• Next steps: Additional guidance is expected between now and July 1, when the requirement takes effect for employers in economic sectors where unemployment exceeds 8 percent.

Background: Responding to the Swiss Parliament’s efforts to promote the local workforce, authorities have settled on a two-stage approach that initially will affect relatively few employers since unemployment is low through most of Switzerland’s economy. The building sector and certain executive and processing professions were among the areas where unemployment topped 8 percent in December of 2017. Figures show that unemployment topped 5 percent in December for machinists, hotel and restaurant workers, employees in the trade and sales sector and in the category for social and natural sciences and humanities.

BAL Analysis: While the change will likely affect relatively few employers initially, it is nevertheless a sign of the steps Switzerland is taking to help promote Swiss workers and could delay the hiring of foreign nationals in some sectors.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Switzerland. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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