In Switzerland, employees can request an interim employment reference even during an ongoing employment relationship. This document must objectively reflect the current professional situation.
But how can awkward wording, unintended undertones, or legal errors be avoided? The challenge for employers is to write an interim employment reference that is clear, careful, and benevolent, while complying with Swiss law.
This guide shows when and how to write an interim employment reference and explains this using an annotated sample.
The most important information at a glance
Employees in Switzerland can request an interim employment reference at any time.
This right is enshrined in Article 330a of the Swiss Code of Obligations and guarantees an assessment of the employee's role, length of service, quality of work, and conduct.
The interim employment reference follows the same structure as a final employment reference, but is written in the present tense as it reflects the current situation.
It contains information on the employee's identity, function, specific tasks, professional conduct, and any further training completed.
The document must explicitly state that it was issued at the employee's request and that it is an interim employment reference.
It is often requested when there is a change of supervisor, an internal transfer, a reorganization, during the current notice period, or as part of a review of the employee's position.
The wording must be clear, factual, and benevolent, and must comply with Swiss customary practices without using ambiguous statements or coded language.
Carefully written, the interim employment reference helps to acknowledge the employee's career to date, avoid conflicts, and recognize the employee's commitment.
What is an interim employment reference?
Definition and legal framework according to Article 330a of the Swiss Code of Obligations
Article 330a paragraph 1 of the Code of Obligations stipulates that employees are entitled to an employment reference at any time during their employment and for up to ten years after its termination. After this period, the entitlement expires.
This right applies both upon leaving the company and during ongoing employment. In the latter case, this is referred to as an interim employment reference, which provides an assessment of the current professional situation.
Content and special features of the interim employment reference
In Switzerland, the interim employment reference follows the same structure as a final employment reference and is similarly detailed. The main difference is in the tense: it is written in the present tense, as it reflects the current situation.
The interim employment reference contains information on the employee's identity, current position, tasks, responsibilities, and skills. It also includes any further training completed and an assessment of performance and professional conduct. Finally, it is noted that the document was created at the employee's request, which clearly indicates its interim nature. The wording must be benevolent, objective, and free of coded language.
Differences between interim employment references, final employment references, and employment confirmations
The interim employment reference is issued during an ongoing employment relationship. It assesses the activities performed, the skills used, and the employee's conduct, and is written entirely in the present tense.
The final employment reference is issued at the end of the employment relationship. It contains the same elements, but in the past tense. The reason for leaving may be mentioned, but this is not a mandatory part of the employment reference.
The employment confirmation, on the other hand, is limited to a simple confirmation of the employment and its duration. It is significantly shorter and does not contain any assessment of performance or conduct.
When can an interim employment reference be requested?
Various situations may give rise to a request for an interim employment reference. This often happens, for example:
when there is a change of supervisor, so that the assessment is not based solely on the opinion of the new manager
when there is a change of function or an internal transfer, for example to support an internal job change or promotion
as part of a reorganization or company takeover, in order to record one's own professional situation before structural changes take place
during the current notice period, in order to apply for other positions at an early stage
in the course of a professional assessment, in order to reflect on one's own skills and receive formal feedback before further training or reorientation
Employers may request that the request be justified. However, if there is a clear professional interest, the interim employment reference may not be refused.
Template for an interim employment reference
When writing an interim employment reference, the same principles apply as for a final employment reference. A classic Swiss employment reference template can be used as a basis, adapted to the current situation and the current contract.
Example:
INTERIM EMPLOYMENT REFERENCE
Mr. Peter Müller, born on April 15, 1985, has been working for our company as Head of Logistics in the Operations department since October 1, 2018. In this role, he is responsible for:
coordinating cross-location logistics processes
managing a team of five employees
implementing projects for warehouse optimization and digitization
monitoring the logistics chain budget
Mr. Müller has excellent organizational skills, a high degree of independence, and strong leadership skills. He maintains very good working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and external partners.
This reference is issued at the request of Mr. Müller, who is currently still employed by our company.
We thank him for his commitment and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration.
Zurich, January 15, 2026
Signature HR
What the individual phrases mean
“Has been employed since ...”: indicates that the employment relationship is still ongoing.
“Is responsible for ...”: the present tense is mandatory in an interim employment reference.
Specific job descriptions: avoid vague statements and create clarity.
“Has ... / maintains good working relationships ...”: appreciative but factual, in accordance with Swiss law.
“At the request of ...”: necessary distinction from a final employment reference.
Expression of thanks: also common in Switzerland for ongoing employment relationships.
How do you write a correct interim employment reference?
A legally compliant interim employment reference is written in the present tense and reflects the employee's current situation. It must be clear, objective, and structured, without ambiguous wording or implicit messages.
Ambiguous phrases and deliberate omissions are not permitted, as they can mislead readers. Some seemingly neutral statements can convey reservations, as is evident from examples of negative employment references. The tone should remain benevolent without glossing over reality. The assessment must be honest, precise, and fact-based.
The following principles have proven effective:
Describe the skills actually used with specific verbs.
Clearly describe the area of responsibility, including team size, budget, or projects.
List relevant further training.
Assess performance and behavior objectively, without unnecessary superlatives, but with clear statements.
Formally, an interim employment reference should be limited to one page, dated and signed, and clearly state that it was prepared at the employee's request. It is customary to use a Swiss employment reference template as a guide and adapt it to the specific situation.
However, an interim employment reference is more than just an administrative document. It helps employees to present their previous experience in a comprehensible manner, both internally and externally, and enables employers to formulate their assessment transparently. It often serves as a basis for discussions, promotions, or other personnel decisions. This makes it all the more important to ensure that it is carefully drafted and complies with the rules.
