Although one thing still escapes me, a lot of you are making the argument that this law is a good thing, and that’s fine, that is your opinion. But I’d just like to query as to why? To me, the option between the employee having the choice how they wish to take their own holiday allocation as opposed to a company/law dictating to them, is a substantially better opinion. It’s not like you can’t request 2 weeks holiday if this law was not in place. And it’s also not like that the company is obliged to give you the two weeks whenever you choose. I honestly don’t see why it’s so desirable. But I’m all ears to hear your opinions, and I won’t just make sarcastic remarks in return neither.
Thanks for a lot of the helpful information people
The name is “workaholics”. They can’t be persuaded to take holidays. Husband’s boss hasn’t taken any of hers from last year and she’s due to go on maternity leave in February. She’s really annoyed that she can’t come back to work before the 14 weeks are up. I can guarantee she’ll be working from home despite the fact she’s not supposed to.
If the law was not there, what would stop an employer telling his workforce they can't take more than a week at a time? Or three days?
We already have a rule that you can't take 3 consecutive weeks off for holiday (unless you go through some exceptional agony of planning it 12 months in advance and only then it's like pulling teeth).
This is fine but if my employer had the law behind him to prevent us taking our straight fortnight off I'd be stuffed for holiday choices.
Sometimes you have too look at what the law is preventing rather than providing .
"Wo kein Kläger, kein Richter"
As long as all parties involved are fine with how things are done, the law is immaterial.
I understand you’re argument, only I do believe it’s a different argument from the one I’m making. The specific part of the law I’m referring to has absolutely nothing to do with an employer being allowed to prevent an employee from holiday allocation. I would stand with you if such a thing was to ever occur, but that’s not the question I asked in my previous post.
I have no such rule that I can’t take more than 3 consecutive weeks off work. Therefore that’s not a law, that’s governed by your company. What I’m referring to is a law.
It is obviously to ensure that everyone takes the 2 weeks. Yes, it's a clearly bit of a nanny law, but at the same time it aims to ensure that everyone gets the necessary psychological rest and that workplaces can plan accordingly.
I am not saying it is right for everyone, I am not saying it is wrong for everyone, but clearly the intentions behind it are honourable and I don't read anywhere saying it has to be 14 days of your entitlements that has to be used, just 14 days of time off consecutively. There are times in the year where you can easily get 14 consecutive days off for less than the cost of 10 of your entitlement.
I rarely take two weeks at a time - certainly not once a year. I prefer a few shorter city breaks than being bored on a beach for a fortnight.
OMG, I'm a criminal
I’m inclined to agree with you. I’m assuming the underlying reasoning for the law is honourable (I mean it is Switzerland after all, everything here seems to be so, how to word it... prim and proper) Although I do have arguments with the ‘planning’ side of things you mentioned, but that’s not an argument with you, that’s with my job type and work material, so best left for the work place.
Speaking of the usage of the days regarding for example public holidays, I found that out no less than an hour ago, so I’m sure I can claw a few days back with the appropriate planning. There’s very few things that precision and finesse can’t achieve
Then stop going on boring beach holidays!
Too employer friendly? LOL.
< And in English it sounds kind of polite and reasonable, while in German it's more like "you're bloody lucky if you get any holidays": < While "due account" would be "gebührende Rücksicht" which is like the employee has a say, employee's wishes should be considered, the German version says "soweit Rücksicht" which basically means if it conincidently fits the company, the employee's wish can be fulfilled. I'd take the English version, if I had to argue it The French version is also a little more friendly: << L'employeur fixe la date des vacances en tenant compte des désirs du travailleur dans la mesure compatible avec les intérêts de l'entreprise ou du ménage.>> Which in German would be "unter Brücksichtigung der Wünsche des Arbeitnehmers" or "taking into account ..." No wonder life of an employee in the German part of Switzerland is much harsher than in other parts Translations. Gotta love them. Specially when it comes to laws they can make this tiny little difference - depending on your lawyer. However, it's the first time on EF I see people arguing the employee is too protected So let's enjoy it while it lasts .....
You’re not, but your employer is breaking the law.
Not really. As Urs Max already mentioned: "Wo kein Kläger, da kein Richter" (no complainant, no judge).
We have lots of laws like that. They are set for the case of disagreement. If both sides agree, they don't really have to be followed. There are several reasons even for employers though, wanting this one to be followed.
It is important to have these rules as we want the same rules for everybody and no big trials for every BS. But live and let live is still quite often practiced here (you're all surprised, huh? ROFL).
I move out sooner and give the landlord the key in spite having payed until the end of the month. I move in sooner and still start paying the rent when the contract starts 10 days later. Happens all the time. I'm not supposed to hammer nails into the wall at 12.30h ..... I'm not supposed to use the washing machine at 23.00h, I'm not supposed to move house on a Sunday ..... or a holiday, not supposed to go to the glass-collection place on a Sunday ..... happens all the time. In so many cases it doesn't bother anybody. For the other cases we got the rules ready.
Where there is not GB expat involved, life is actually rather relaxed here