Understanding Maternity and Paternity Leave in Switzerland 👩‍🍼👨‍🍼

Duration of Maternity Leave ⏳

Maternity leave in Switzerland spans a total of 98 days (equivalent to 14 weeks), starting from the commencement day. This provision applies equally to both full-time and part-time employees. Please note that returning to work before the completion of this period results in a forfeiture of the remaining compensation. Interestingly, you can claim maternity benefits up to 5 years after the conclusion of your maternity leave. After this window, the entitlement becomes null and void.

For births occurring after July 1, 2021, if your newborn requires hospitalization for over 14 days immediately after birth, the maternity pay period extends by the number of days spent in the hospital, capped at 56 days. To claim this extension, you'll need to indicate the duration of the hospital stay on your application form, provide a medical certificate, and offer evidence of returning to work.

Maternity Pay Details 💰

Swiss maternity compensation entails an 80% coverage of your earnings, with a cap at 196 Swiss Francs per day. Depending on cantonal provisions, personnel regulations, and collective employment contracts, you may be eligible for more generous benefits. To be eligible for maternity pay, employees should have contributed to AHV for at least nine months before the child's birth and worked a minimum of five months during pregnancy. Note that these durations adjust accordingly for cases of premature birth.

Claiming Your Maternity/Paternity Pay 📑

There are three ways you can claim your maternity/paternity pay:

1. From your company: If your company continues to pay your salary throughout your maternity/paternity leave, the compensation office will channel the maternity benefit to your employer. If your company can't cover your maternity leave, the compensation office will directly provide the maternity benefit to you or the entitled recipient.
2. Directly through the AHV office : This option is available to self-employed individuals, unemployed persons, or those unable to work.
3. International payment: Even if you move abroad after your child's birth, maternity benefits can still reach you.

Differences between Maternity and Paternity Leave 👩‍🍼👨‍🍼

Starting January 2021, Swiss fathers receive two weeks of paid paternity leave within six months following their child's birth. This benefit is subject to being or becoming the legal father during the six months after birth. Unlike maternity leave, paternity leave doesn't extend due to the child's prolonged hospital stay. Furthermore, it offers more flexibility, as fathers can choose to take it either continuously or intermittently within six months post-childbirth. Notably, taking paternity leave doesn't lead to a reduction in employees' vacation entitlement.

However, paternity leave imposes some cost to the employee, with an estimated annual expenditure of about 230 million Swiss Francs. This cost prompted a raise in the EO contribution from 0.45% of wages to 0.5% in 2021. There's also an ongoing discourse in the Swiss parliament about introducing a joint parental leave of 38 weeks, allowing parents to distribute the leave between themselves. This initiative represents a stride towards achieving workplace equality.

How Earny Can Help 💼

As a premier Swiss payroll provider, Earny offers a streamlined and efficient solution to manage maternity and paternity leave benefits. Our comprehensive digital tools handle all the complexities related to these leaves, from tracking the duration to ensuring accurate compensation. We automate your payroll processes and provide real-time updates on changes in regulations. By leveraging Earny's services, you can efficiently manage maternity and paternity leave benefits, ensuring compliance with Swiss laws and fostering a supportive workplace for your employees.