Coronavirus and tenancy law

A new decision by a Zurich court “partially” admits a restaurant owner’s claim for a reduction of the rent due to the covid situation and the ordered closures of public establishments. One year ago, the undersigned presented a decision of 23 April 2021, also by a Zurich court, in proceedings for the release of the […]

The non-competition clause – When does it end?

A recent decision of the Federal Court provides an opportunity to review the non-competition clause in an employment contract and the cases in which it ceases (TF 4A_109/2021). The principles governing the non-competition clause in an employment contract are set out in Articles 340 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). According to […]

Telework of border workers is back in the news

The teleworking of frontier workers is once again in the news. The following headlines have appeared in the press: “Telework by frontier workers could play a dirty trick on employers” or “Frontier telework: agreement or deadlock” (www.24heures.ch). In addition, a “cross-border telework guide” has just been published by the FER and the French-speaking economic organisations. […]

The variable geometry medical certificate is still being talked about

In a previous article, the undersigned addressed the issue of incapacity for work limited to the workplace, which is a real headache for the employer but also for the employee. This incapacity is again the subject of a Federal Court Decision of 12 April 2021. This decision (which has already been commented on, in particular […]

Protection of employees close to retirement

At the same time as the introduction of paternity leave and the introduction of the federal law on improving the reconciliation of work and care for relatives, 2021 also sees the introduction of a new Article 47a BVG, which aims to strengthen the protection of employees close to retirement. Since January 1st, 2021, and the […]

Equal pay for men and women

Since 1 July 2020 and the amendment of the Federal Gender Equality Act (GEA), companies with more than 100 employees must carry out an internal equal pay analysis and have one year to do so. It is not certain that all employers concerned are aware of this new obligation! On 1 July 2020, an amendment […]

COVID-19 and employers: data protection rights and duties

The phased deconfinement that we are experiencing does not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic has disappeared. We are all aware that a second wave cannot yet be ruled out and that it must be avoided at all costs. In this context, the question arises as to what measures employers can, respectively should and should not […]

The social plan: when must it be negotiated and what must it contain?

Since 1 January 2014, the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) has required Swiss employers to “hold negotiations with the employees with the aim of preparing a social plan”, in the event of mass redundancies, but only in certain situations. The social plan is defined in the CO as “an agreement in which an employer and […]