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In-home nanny: Your rights – and your responsibilities – as a private employer

  • Writer: Brigitte
    Brigitte
  • Aug 26
  • 2 min read

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More and more families in Switzerland are choosing to hire someone to work in their home: for cleaning, childcare, or support for a loved one. This brings real comfort to daily life, but also comes with a lesser-known role: that of a private employer.

And like any employer, you have rights… but also legal responsibilities to respect.


A Clear Legal Framework

Hiring domestic staff is not simply “helping someone out” or offering a side job. You are entering into an employment relationship governed by Swiss law, in particular by the Standard Employment Contract (CTT) for domestic workers.

This means that even for just a few hours a week, you must comply with specific rules concerning contracts, wages, insurance, and declarations.


Your Rights as an Employer


As an employer, you have the right to:

  • Choose the person you hire, based on your needs

  • Expect quality work, in line with the agreed tasks

  • Organise the working hours in agreement with your employee

  • Terminate the contract, in accordance with legal notice periods

But for the relationship to function smoothly, your responsibilities are just as important.


Your Legal Duties


Here are the main obligations you must meet:

  1. Draft a clear employment contract, even for small jobs

  2. Respect the minimum wages set by the standard employment contract (CTT) for domestic work

  3. Register your employee with the Swiss social security system (AVS, LAA, etc.)

  4. Provide coverage for both occupational and non-occupational accidents

  5. Deduct withholding tax if the person is not Swiss and does not hold a C permit

  6. Respect vacation rights, working hours, and rest time – just like with any other employment contract


What if You Don’t Comply?


Failing to meet your obligations can result in fines, back payments of wages and social contributions, and even criminal sanctions in cases of undeclared work.It’s always better to prevent issues… than to fix them later.


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