New Working-Time Flexibility For Eligible Start-Ups

On 28 October 2026, the Federal Council revised Ordinance 2 of the Swiss Labour Act, providing for targeted exemptions from the general provisions on working hours and rest periods for start-ups, provided that applicable conditions are met. The new regulation applies to employees working in start-ups who possess specific skills or work on specific projects (e.g. collaboration with different time zones, launch of a product), enjoy a high degree of autonomy in their work and their working time and hold a stake in the company’s capital through an employee share participation scheme.

From 1 December 2026, an amendment to Ordinance 2 of the Swiss Employment Act will give certain start-ups greater flexibility in organising working and rest times for certain employees. The new rules are narrowly targeted: they apply only where both the company and the employee meet specific conditions.