In Switzerland, travel time is not automatically counted as working time. Whether it is counted depends on various factors, such as the type of trip, the activities during the trip, and the agreements in the employment contract. But what about the daily commute to work? And are business trips generally considered working time? In this article, you will learn what Swiss labor law has to say about this.
When is travel time considered working time?
Working time is any time during which employees are available to the company to perform their duties. Depending on the situation, this may also include time spent on work-related travel.
A basic distinction is made between commuting and business trips:
Commuting is the daily journey between home and work. It is not normally counted as working time.
Business trips are undertaken on behalf of the company and are directly related to professional activities. They are generally considered working time.
Swiss labor law defines clear minimum requirements for working time, rest periods, and occupational safety.
Good to know: Even with annual working time or part-time models, certain travel times can be counted as working time.
Does the commute to work count as working time?
The daily journey between home and work is generally not considered working time in Switzerland (Art. 13 of Ordinance 1 to the Labour Act (EmpA)).
The reason: this time is not directly related to professional activities, but is part of private life. The commute to work is therefore not counted as productive working time, similar to the lunch break.
However, there are exceptions where the commute to work is considered working time in whole or in part:
Industry or collective labor agreements: In certain industries, such as construction, the commute to work may be contractually defined as working time.
Work during the commute: If employees already perform work-related tasks while traveling, such as writing emails or making business calls, this time counts as working time.
Travel to other work locations: If the journey to a location other than the usual place of work takes significantly longer, this additional time must be compensated.
Good to know: For mobile employees—such as those in sales or technical service—who do not have a fixed place of work, the journey from their place of residence to their first appointment counts as working time.
Do business trips count as working time?
Business trips are undertaken on behalf of the company. Unlike the daily commute, they are directly related to the work performed and are therefore generally considered working time.
Examples:
An employee visits several customers to present products or negotiate contracts.
An employee travels to a meeting or trade fair in another city.
A technician drives to a customer's premises to carry out an urgent repair.
Journeys made outside regular working hours, such as emergency call-outs, can also count as working time.
Good to know: If a business trip is counted as working time, the employee is compensated with pay or time off in lieu.
How is working time calculated for business trips abroad?
Special rules apply to business trips abroad, as travel times are usually significantly longer than for domestic travel.
The following generally applies:
Any professional activity during the trip—for example, writing a report, attending meetings, or preparing a presentation—counts as working time.
Pure travel time, i.e., time spent on a plane, train, or in a car without performing any professional activities, is only counted if this is expressly agreed in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Good to know: Employers are obliged to cover travel, accommodation, and meal costs. They must also find out about any potential health or safety risks and take out additional insurance if necessary.
Conclusion
Whether travel time in Switzerland counts as working time depends on the type of trip, the activities carried out during it, and the contractual agreements. Knowing these rules ensures that legal requirements are met. Companies can also establish clear guidelines for dealing with travel time to create transparency and balance the interests of employees and the company.
With modern working time tracking software, travel time can be documented transparently and billed correctly—an important basis for efficiency and trust within the company.
