Continued Wage Payment During Illness in Switzerland

Statutory Basis (OR Art. 324a)

Art. 324a OR obliges employers to continue paying wages for a limited period in cases of unforeseeable incapacity for work (illness, accident, pregnancy). The Berne scale serves as the reference: 3 weeks in the 1st year, 1 month in the 2nd year, 2 months in the 3rd–4th years, and so on, at 100% of salary.

Daily Sickness Allowance Insurance (KTG)

Many employers go beyond statutory obligation by subscribing to a collective daily sickness allowance insurance (Krankentaggeldversicherung, KTG). Standard benefits: 80% of salary (sometimes 90%) for 720 days within 900 days. Premiums are shared between employer and employee (typically 50/50). Coverage starts after the agreed waiting period (3, 14, or 30 days).

Medical Certificate and Notification

A medical certificate must be submitted to the employer within the contractually specified period (usually 3–5 days from the start of illness). Employers may request a certificate earlier if there is reasonable cause. They may not request a diagnosis – only confirmation of incapacity and expected return date.

Dismissal Protection During Illness

A time-limited dismissal protection (Sperrfrist) applies during illness (Art. 336c OR): 30 days in the 1st year of service, 90 days in years 2–5, 180 days from year 6 onward. Termination during this protection period is void. After the protection period expires, the employer may terminate subject to normal notice.

Context on the Swiss job market helps frame any career decision in Switzerland. Our gross-to-net salary guide shows what Swiss gross salaries look like after AVS, LPP and tax deductions. The salary negotiation guide covers how to use market data in offer discussions and which arguments work with Swiss recruiters. Our guide to working in Switzerland as a foreigner covers entry conditions, permit categories and practical relocation steps. The work permit guide explains B, C, G and L permit categories and processing timelines. For cross-sector salary benchmarks, the Switzerland salary guide covers all major roles and cities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is continued wage payment during illness in Switzerland?

Statutory minimum per Berne scale: 3 weeks in year 1, then 1–2 months depending on years of service. With a KTG insurance policy: 80% salary for up to 720 days.

Do I always need to provide a medical certificate?

From the day specified in your contract (commonly day 3 of illness). Employers may request a certificate earlier with reasonable cause.

Can I be dismissed during illness?

Not during the statutory protection period (30, 90, or 180 days depending on years of service). Termination during this period is void. After expiry, normal notice applies.

What happens after 720 days of KTG sickness benefits have been exhausted?

Once KTG benefits run out, neither the employer nor the insurer is obliged to continue payments. However, an invalidity insurance (IV/AI) application should be filed well before the 720 days are reached, ideally around months 3–4 of illness, as the IV process takes 6–18 months to complete. If the IV application is filed late, there can be a gap between KTG expiry and IV approval. During the IV review period, the insured person has no automatic income replacement unless the employer maintains the relationship. Early IV filing is one of the most critical steps in long-term illness management.

What is the 13th month salary in Switzerland?

The 13th month salary in Switzerland refers to an additional monthly salary paid once a year, typically in December. It is included in annual salary benchmarks as standard: when a Swiss employer quotes CHF 120,000 per year, this normally means 13 monthly payments of approximately CHF 9,231 each, not 12 payments of CHF 10,000. The 13th month is governed by the employment contract or collective agreement (GAV), not by statute. It is subject to social contributions (AHV/ALV) and income tax. Always clarify with a prospective employer whether a quoted annual figure includes or excludes the 13th month.