From supply chain disruption to technical skill shortages, interim talent solutions are well-placed to alleviate some of the key challenges facing Switzerland’s businesses.  

That said, navigating the intricacies of Swiss labour laws (particularly when it comes to cross-border talent) is no small feat.  

 

To help our customers navigate this challenge, we are hosting a series of webinars under banner of “Success in Switzerland: Work, Wealth & Well-Being" 

 

  • Why Labour Leasing? 

  • Language & Culture Challenges in Relocation 

  • Understanding the Swiss Pension system  

  • Health Care in Switzerland  

  • Cross Boarder Movements & Territory Tiering System 

  • Housing in Switzerland  

 

On November 28th, we kicked off with “Why Labour Leasing?” to help our Swiss network get a better understanding of a host of challenges, the inherent competitiveness of the landscape and how to thrive in an innovation-focused economy. 

 

Decision-makers are increasingly turning to compliant, trustworthy talent providers to help them close gaps in their workforce. We explored:  

 

  • Talent market trends in Switzerland 

  • Taking the labour leasing route as a contractor 

  • What to look out for when choosing a talent partner – Can’t see this section? 

  • Benefits to the contractor 

 

Whether you’re exploring contract jobs in Switzerland for the first time or you’re a seasoned freelancer wondering what to do next, we’ve captured the key points from our webinar in the following pages.  

 

A Guide to Labour Leasing in Switzerland – Whitepaper  

 

Talent Market Trends 

Workforce expectations are changing. We’re seeing some interesting trends take shape as fluctuating workloads influence a fast-moving market.  

 

Key areas to watch include:  

  • An increase in project-based work: Partly inspired by the push for digitalisation, we’re seeing a sharp increase in project-based work throughout technology, pharma, compliance and AI.  

  • The demand for specialised profiles: Demand for niche, hard-to-fill roles is growing alongside the emergence of interdisciplinary roles. This is most evident in areas like financial services, as hiring managers frequently target tech-savvy compliance talent.  

  • A growing focus on worker rights: The regulations are consistently evolving to ensure transparency and trust for temporary workers. Plus, Switzerland has retained its work permit quota for EEA and UK nationals.  

  • Employees are looking for flexibility: Workplace flexibility will likely remain commonplace in Switzerland for the foreseeable future, and it’s frequently at the top of the priority list for job seekers.  

  • Labour leasing gains popularity: Businesses are recognising the value of labour leasing as a tool to manage unpredictable markets. We’re seeing a major shift towards it in areas like technology, compliance, AI, and Pharma, where project-based work is often standard practice.  

 

Viki Dowthwaite:  

‘It's a highly competitive landscape right now. Employees are looking for flexibility, but they're looking for companies where they can bring their unique expertise and hopefully make themselves a vital resource for addressing the skills gap. We see it as our place to help companies become aware of their responsibilities, help them create more equitable work environments, and place candidates into their dream careers.’ 

 

Taking the Labour Leasing Route as a Contractor 

Contracting presents a slew of unique benefits (flexible working hours, self-management, work/life balance), but many find it difficult to reconcile these advantages with the perceived lack of security. In many ways, labour leasing is a bridge between the two worlds of self-employment and traditional employment agreements. How do you get started?  

 

  1. Determine what you want from your career.  

What barriers do you currently face, and which doors could contract work open up for you? Many people who move into contracting want the breadth of experience and flexibility that comes with non-traditional employment agreements.  

 

  1. Consider what type of contractor you want to be.  

What does your entity structure look like? Are you going to set up as a self-employed business or follow the labour leasing route? Self-employed work has many benefits, (including enhanced flexibility) but it comes at the cost of having to consider hidden complexities – insurance, pensions, and taxes for example. If you go down the labour leasing route, your employer takes care of those complexities.  

 

  1. Speak to a reputable agency with a base in Switzerland 

Contacting an agency is a good first step. You must choose a licensed agency that’s recognised by SECO at both the federal and cantonal levels. It’s also worth making sure that the agency you engage with is a member of Swiss Staffing. To make your search more relevant, try and target an agency that specialises in your desired sector and discipline.  

 

  1. Find your value 

A dependable agency will be able to help you determine your market value (i.e., what your day rate should be). Ask for payroll simulations based on your circumstances and make a well-educated, well-informed decision.  

 

  1. Get to know your coverage 

What does your agency offer in terms of a pension fund? What insurance do they provide you with? Who’s their provider? Understanding the full scope of your benefits package is crucial. Don't hesitate to ask your agency for a comprehensive breakdown of all coverage and contributions. This includes details about health insurance (including coverage levels and any out-of-pocket expenses), accident insurance, loss of earnings insurance, and pension contributions. Clarify what portion of these costs are covered by the agency and what, if any, you are responsible for. A clear understanding of your coverage ensures you're protected and allows you to accurately compare offers from different agencies. 

 

Matthew Goddard: ‘A lot of agencies will provide opportunities for people to work in Switzerland, but if they don’t have the license to recruit directly, you’ll be going through a third party. This can be quite complex in itself because if you’re looking for work and you’ve engaged an unlicensed agency to help you, you’ll be handed over to another company that you’ve never spoken to before. If you’re going through an agency, make sure that they have an entity in Switzerland and a SECO license. This way, the employment relationship is between you and that agency, not a third party that you're introduced to at a later stage.’ 

 

Choosing Your Agency 

There are plenty of agencies out there, so it’s important you understand what to watch out for before making your choice – the right talent partner can be a catalyst for exceptional career growth.  

  • Licenses: As mentioned in the previous section, choosing a fully licensed agency is vital, otherwise you risk complicating the employment process or worse – damaging your reputation. Look for an agency with a SECO license at both the federal and cantonal level.  

  • Accreditations: Beyond licenses and memberships, inquire about any additional accreditations or certifications the agency holds. This may help you better align your values and goals with your talent partner. For example, B Corp, which demonstrate a commitment to specific values (e.g., social responsibility, environmental impact, and ethical practices). This could also reveal which kind of businesses they like to target.  

  • Global Reach, Local Knowledge: For international assignments, it's essential to partner with an agency that offers a balance of global reach and local market knowledge. While a broad international network is valuable, it's equally important that the agency has a strong presence and deep understanding of the specific market where you want to work. An agency without localised expertise in your target country will struggle to effectively represent you and find suitable opportunities. 

  • Onboarding Process: A smooth and efficient onboarding process is crucial. Ask about the steps involved in registering with the agency, what documentation is required, and how long the process typically takes. A well-organised agency will make this as easy as possible for you. 

  • Support During Assignments: What level of support does the agency provide during your assignments? Do they have dedicated points of contact you can reach out to with questions or concerns? How do they handle issues that may arise with the client? 

  • Transparency: Transparency is essential in any business relationship. The agency should be upfront about their fees, contract terms, and any other relevant information. They should be willing to answer your questions honestly and openly. 

Benefits 

 

Labour leasing offers a range of compelling advantages for contractors in Switzerland. Beyond simply providing temporary work, these arrangements offer crucial support and security, streamlining the employment process and allowing contractors to focus on their expertise. Here’s what you can expect as a contractor:  

 

  1. Guaranteed Standards and Protections: Working with a licensed agency, especially one that is a member of Swiss Staffing, ensures adherence to mandated standards. This includes essential provisions like Suva accident insurance and reputable pension schemes, giving contractors confidence in their basic employment protections. The license and membership act as a quality stamp, removing the guesswork about an agency's infrastructure and policies. 

 

  1. Administrative Burden Relief: A core benefit is the offloading of administrative tasks. The agency handles payroll, pension contributions (including state pension), and other administrative details, freeing up the contractor to focus on their work. This removes the hassle and complexity of managing these aspects independently. 

 

  1. Continuous Employment Opportunities: Agencies specialise in finding employment for contractors. Their primary goal is to keep contractors employed and actively seek redeployment opportunities, mitigating the potential instability often associated with contract work. This focus on continuous work provides a greater sense of security and stability. 

 

  1. Simplified Employment Relationship: Contracting through an agency establishes a clear employment relationship. This simplifies the contractor's situation as the agency manages the employment process, including payroll and benefits, rather than the contractor having to navigate these complexities on their own as a freelancer or independent contractor. 

 

  1. Reduced Worry, Increased Focus: By handling administrative and employment-related tasks, the agency reduces the contractor's worries. This allows contractors to concentrate on their core skills and the work at hand, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. 

 

An Employer of Record vs Labour Leasing Agencies 

They’re similar, but there are some key distinctions between an Employer of Record (EOR) and a labour leasing agency that are worth noting:  

 

An Employer of Record acts as the legal employer for a worker, handling all employment-related responsibilities. An EOR’s primary function is managing payroll, taxes, and benefits, and ensuring compliance with all relevant labour laws and regulations. While the worker performs services for a client company, the EOR remains the legal employer, responsible for all administrative and legal aspects of employment.* 

 

A labour leasing agency differs from an EOR in its core business function. A labour leasing agency, unlike an EOR, focuses on placing workers with client companies. The agency acts as the intermediary, recruiting, screening, and contracting workers, then leasing their skills to clients.  

 

*It’s not uncommon for an agency to partner with an EOR to provide some of these functions. It’s worth considering whether or not this is the case for your prospective agency.  

 

About Trinnovo Group GmbH 

Trinnovo Group GmbH is a SECO-licensed, market-leading staffing and advisory firm that provides diverse talent solutions globally. Through four integrated brands, Trinnovo Group offers a deep cross-section of market expertise:  

  • DeepRec.ai: Machine Learning, C++, Computer Vision, Blockchain, Data Science, and NLP staffing 

  • Trust in SODA: Software Engineering, DevOps, Cloud and Infrastructure, Data, and GTM (Go-to-Market) staffing 

  • Broadgate: Risk, Legal, Compliance and Financial Crime, Accounting, Actuarial, Sales and Relationship Management, and Transformation and Change staffing.  

  • Trinnovo Consulting: Digital transformation and Statement of Work.  

 

Speaker Profiles 

Viki Dowthwaite, Commercial Director 

As Commercial Director, Viki drives strategic initiatives across Trinnovo Group, focusing on the growth of Trinnovo Consulting and its three recruitment brands, expanding the company’s presence across the UK, Ireland & the DACH region. 

Her responsibilities include overseeing customer strategy, refining Trinnovo Group’s unique value proposition, and ensuring effective customer enablement, with a particular focus on fostering strong relationships and aligning teams to enhance operational efficiency. 

In addition, Viki works closely with senior leadership and the CEO to manage our internal Talent, People & Performance Team, prioritising people strategies that optimise team performance and align with broader business objectives. 

Viki understands the trust customers place in us, whether it’s for their careers or their company’s reputation, and she is dedicated to delivering the best possible experience. 

Matthew Goddard, Head of Legal and Compliance 

Matthew heads up Trinnovo's Legal & Compliance team for all of our brands globally. Matthew's team focus on total business protection, delivering an exceptional onboarding experience for our customers, utilising emerging technologies and integrations to improve our processes, and supporting our international growth through compliant engagement solutions for our clients. 

Matthew started working in recruitment in 2016 and spent the first 2 years working in sales as a recruitment consultant specialising in tech contractor recruitment across the UK.  

He then transitioned into an operational role within legal & compliance where he has successfully delivered compliant supply chain engagement models to clients across the EMEA, US and APAC regions - with clients ranging from small seed start-ups to global FTSE corporate organisations.  

Matthew provides a progressive and pragmatic approach, balancing commercial opportunity with thorough risk assessment and mitigation. 

Helena Sullivan, CMO 

​​​​Helena leads the marketing strategy, technology enablement, and delivery for all of Trinnovo Group's brands globally. Her team is responsible for communities, social media, and thought leadership, including events, podcasts and blogs, digital marketing, bids & tenders, and technology. 

Helena started her recruitment marketing career in London twenty years ago. She has worked exclusively in marketing for recruitment at several global, multi-brand organisations, delivering marketing solutions in Europe, the UK, the USA, Asia, Australia, and the UAE. She is passionate about marketing and loves working in the recruitment sector due to its fast-paced and ever-changing nature.  

 

Our Events Programme 

If you missed this webinar, don’t panic! We regularly host free learning and networking initiatives through our events programme, so make sure to follow us on LinkedIn to get in the loop: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trinnovo-group/ 

We’ve seen first-hand how impactful community can be on the route to a more meaningful career. If you’re hoping to connect with industry leaders, network with your peers, or learn more about where to take your career next, our events are safe and supportive spaces worth exploring.  

For hiring managers, events create direct access to hard-to-reach talent, allowing them to meet and engage with people they might otherwise struggle to reach.  

On many occasions, we’ve seen this lead to new roles, new partnerships, and shared initiatives for our attendees. 

If you’re interested in connecting with our contracting division directly, please contact Viki Dowthwaite at: Viki@trinnovo.com. Whether you're looking for work and you're struggling to find the companies that match your values and expectations, or you’re hoping to hire inside an increasingly complex talent landscape, we’re more than happy to provide you with our support and advice.