TEMPORARY JOBS SWITZERLAND

If you are a citizen of EU/EFTA member states, you have the right to temp in Switzerland. You can work without a residence permit for up to 90 days in a calendar year. More than that, and you will need a contract of employment in order to register yourself and obtain a permit.

For citizens of countries outside the EU/EFTA who don’t already have an existing, valid permit, employers must apply for a work permit on your behalf before they can hire you.

If you’re looking to sign up to a temp agency for temp work, submit your details or apply for a job on our website. Should your experience be relevant to the jobs we’re recruiting, we will invite you to meet with us for an initial registration interview to find out more about what you’re looking for. As we receive thousands of applications each week, unfortunately, we can’t get back to everyone. If you are able to accept our invitation to interview, however, we will also ask you to provide two sets of referee contact details. If you’ve noted that you’re open to temp and contract positions, we will call you if an opportunity becomes available.

During your temporary placement, you can submit and track your weekly timesheets in real time via our online timesheets portal. Through the portal, you can complete your timesheet at your convenience and submit your hours directly onto our payroll system.

Once submitted, the timesheet is sent to your authoriser to be approved; you’ll then receive an automated email to confirm that your timesheet has been accepted so you can be paid in the next weekly payroll run.

Yes, your hourly or daily rate will be made up of the basic gross rate, holiday entitlement, public holiday and if applicable, a 13^th month salary.

It depends! If you’re looking to temp in Zurich, sometimes we place candidates into temporary roles on the same day we meet them. At other times it can be a little while before the right opportunity arises. If you can be flexible with your availability, hourly rate and job criteria, you are more likely to find a role sooner.

We have a number of temps on our books who work as full-time temps. If you’re interested in leaving your permanent position to pursue a career as a temp, it can be done – however your success will depend on a number of factors such as the wider job market, your experience and your long-term goals. Have a conversation with your consultant at the registration interview to get a better idea of what options may be available to you.

Occasionally, our temp jobs are called in at the last minute, leaving us with limited time to advertise the role and call potential candidates in to interview. This means that we rely on a pool of reliable temps whom we are able to reach out to with immediate temporary requirements. If you’re registered with us, we recommend that you keep us updated on your availability and send us your updated CV. Flexibility is also key. The temps who are most often asked to return by companies are those who have proven their reliability for temporary assignments.

It depends. If you are a citizen of an EU/EFTA member state, then you are eligible to work in Switzerland. For employment shorter than three months, you should be able to work even if you are not a citizen of one of these countries. Temporary jobs, particularly contract roles attained through temp agencies, can be a great way to work in Switzerland.

For long-term roles or self-employed work as a foreigner, you will need to attain a residence permit. You can spend up to six months looking for a job in Switzerland as a foreigner, the first three of which you won’t be required to hold this permit. It’s a good idea to check the requirements for your type of citizenship on the Swiss government website.

There are also regulations around what jobs can be given to foreigners in Switzerland, so it’s worth doing some research about your industry as the first step in your hunt.

Switzerland is seeing a boost in startup businesses, particularly in fintech.

Beyond this, Switzerland generally experiences demand for healthcare, IT and engineering talent.

The employment market in Switzerland is generally stable, and many expats find it relatively easy to find employment. However, as with any job market, your jobseeking journey will depend on your residency status and industry experience.

If you’re looking to move to Switzerland and find work, then the best first step is to reach out to a Swiss employment agency. These experts will be able to provide insight into the best pathway forward for your unique experience and skillset.