Holiday jobs for teenagers

• Employment Law
• Private Clients
• SME

Vacation jobs are a popular way for teenagers to gain their first work experience and supplement their pocket money during the school vacations. But what rules and regulations apply to underage employees in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the Employment Act (ArG) and the Youth Employment Protection Ordinance (ArGV 5) regulate the employment of minors. These standards are designed to protect teenagers from excessive strain and dangerous work.

In principle, teenagers under the age of 15 may not be employed in Switzerland. The exception to this is that teenagers aged 13 and over are allowed to carry out light work or errands. Teenagers aged 15 and over may work in a wider range of activities, but with certain restrictions regarding types of work, working hours and working conditions. In general, it should be noted that the work carried out by teenagers must not endanger their health and development and must not interfere with their school education. The consent of the parents is required. Therefore, work contracts should be co-signed by the legal representative.

Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 may perform light work for a maximum of 9 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week for a maximum of half the duration of the school vacations. From the age of 15, they may work up to 40 hours per week, whereby the daily working time may not exceed 8 hours. It is important to ensure that the young person’s school attendance and academic performance are not impaired by excessive working hours.

Night work (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and work on Sundays are generally prohibited for minors.

Popular vacation jobs can be found in the retail sector (many teenagers work in supermarkets or small stores, with tasks such as stocking shelves, cashiering or looking after customers), in gastronomy (in cafés or restaurants, teenagers often find vacation jobs as kitchen assistants or in cleaning or, from the age of 16, as service staff), in agriculture (e.g. harvesting fruit and vegetables or caring for animals) or in office work.

Teenagers under the age of 16 may not, for example, be employed in cinemas, circuses and fairground companies; this applies to activities of a non-artistic nature. In addition, minors are not permitted to serve guests in entertainment establishments such as nightclubs, dances, discotheques and bars. The advantages of vacation jobs are obvious. Key soft skills are acquired, such as punctuality, reliability and teamwork. You can also gain initial work experience, which can be an advantage when applying for jobs later on.

However, vacation jobs also involve challenges and risks. It is important that the work does not lead to overload (provide sufficient information and guidance about possible dangers). Parents and employers must ensure that the balance between work, education and recreation is maintained. Minors must also not be used for dangerous work. This includes work involving heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals or a high risk of accidents.

Vacation jobs offer a valuable opportunity for teenagers to take their first steps into the world of work. With the right conditions and support from parents and employers, these experiences can be both educational and rewarding. However, it is essential that legal regulations are complied with to ensure the health and well-being of young employees.