Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Employment Agreement
I need a junior employment agreement for a graduate with 1 year of industry experience, who will join a rotational program to identify expertise aligning with their skills. The agreement should include statutory leave, exclude stock options, and specify a 6-month probation period with a 1-week notice, transitioning to a 1-month notice period thereafter.
What is an Employment Agreement?
An Employment Agreement forms the legal foundation of your work relationship in Switzerland, spelling out the key terms between you and your employer. It covers essential details like your salary, working hours, vacation time, and job responsibilities - all aligned with Swiss employment law and the Code of Obligations.
Beyond the basics, this binding contract protects both parties by clearly defining notice periods, confidentiality requirements, and post-employment obligations. While Swiss law doesn't require written contracts for all positions, having a formal agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures compliance with cantonal regulations and mandatory benefits like social security contributions.
When should you use an Employment Agreement?
Create an Employment Agreement before any new hire starts working in Switzerland, ideally during the final recruitment stages. This protects both parties by documenting the exact terms agreed upon, from salary and working hours to non-compete clauses and intellectual property rights.
The agreement becomes especially crucial when hiring specialized professionals, managing remote workers across cantons, or offering unique compensation packages. While verbal contracts are legally valid under Swiss law, written agreements help prevent disputes over workplace expectations, benefits, and termination conditions. They also prove invaluable during reorganizations, acquisitions, or when addressing performance issues.
What are the different types of Employment Agreement?
- Startup Employment Agreement: Tailored for high-growth companies, featuring equity compensation, flexible working arrangements, and IP protection clauses essential for innovative environments.
- Nurse Practitioner Employment Agreement: Specialized for healthcare professionals, incorporating shift work regulations, professional liability coverage, and continuing education requirements.
- Per Diem Employment Agreement: Designed for temporary or on-call work arrangements, with variable scheduling terms and special compensation structures aligned with Swiss labor laws.
Who should typically use an Employment Agreement?
- Employers: HR departments, business owners, and managers who draft and customize Employment Agreements to protect company interests and ensure compliance with Swiss labor laws.
- Employees: Workers across all levels who review, negotiate, and sign these agreements, from entry-level staff to senior executives in Swiss companies.
- Legal Counsel: Internal or external lawyers who review and modify agreements to align with cantonal regulations and specific industry requirements.
- HR Consultants: Specialists who help companies develop standardized agreement templates and negotiate terms with potential hires.
- Labor Unions: Representatives who review agreements to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and worker protection laws.
How do you write an Employment Agreement?
- Employee Details: Collect full name, address, nationality, and work permit status if applicable under Swiss immigration laws.
- Position Specifics: Define job title, responsibilities, reporting structure, work location, and start date.
- Compensation Package: Document base salary, bonuses, benefits, and social security contributions according to Swiss standards.
- Working Conditions: Specify hours, vacation days, sick leave policy, and notice periods aligned with cantonal regulations.
- Special Clauses: Include non-compete agreements, confidentiality requirements, and intellectual property provisions as needed.
- Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally compliant agreement that automatically incorporates all mandatory Swiss employment law elements.
What should be included in an Employment Agreement?
- Party Information: Full legal names and addresses of both employer and employee, including relevant business registration details.
- Employment Terms: Job title, duties, workplace location, start date, and probation period as required by Swiss law.
- Compensation Structure: Salary, payment schedule, bonus arrangements, and mandatory social security contributions.
- Working Hours: Standard hours, overtime rules, and break periods according to Swiss labor regulations.
- Leave Entitlements: Vacation days, public holidays, sick leave, and maternity/paternity provisions.
- Termination Rules: Notice periods, grounds for immediate dismissal, and post-employment obligations.
- Data Protection: Privacy clauses and information handling procedures aligned with Swiss data protection laws.
What's the difference between an Employment Agreement and a Contractor Agreement?
An Employment Agreement differs significantly from a Contractor Agreement in several key aspects under Swiss law. While both regulate working relationships, they serve distinct legal purposes and carry different obligations.
- Employment Status: Employment Agreements create an employer-employee relationship with social security benefits and labor law protections, while Contractor Agreements establish an independent business relationship without these benefits.
- Control and Integration: Employees work under direct supervision and are integrated into the company's organization, whereas contractors maintain autonomy over their work methods and timing.
- Tax and Social Security: Employment Agreements require employer contributions to social security and pension funds, while contractors handle their own social security and tax obligations.
- Legal Protection: Employees enjoy extensive protection under Swiss labor laws, including mandatory vacation, sick leave, and termination notice periods. Contractors operate under commercial law with fewer statutory protections.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.