What does a domestic helper really cost? A CHF 30 hourly wage becomes CHF 35.08 an hour

Depending on the canton, CHF 25 to 31 gross an hour is usual, CHF 27 on average. We count CHF 23 to 34 as fair: a little under to a little over the canton average, never below the minimum wage.

All 26 cantons with monthly costs are in the cost overview by canton. How to set the wage and talk to her about it is in the guide to a fair wage for a cleaner.

The floor is set by the minimum wages for cleaners: the NAV for domestic work and, in some cantons, a higher cantonal minimum wage. They sit below the usual wages, but you may not go under them.

A domestic helper is entitled to at least 4 weeks of holiday a year, 5 weeks up to age 20. Some cantonal NAVs also give 5 weeks from age 50. It is paid in one of two ways:

Fixed monthly salary:

The salary simply continues during the holidays, with no supplement.

Hourly wage:

Every hour carries a 8.33% holiday supplement (10.64% for 5 weeks), shown separately on the payslip. In the example (CHF 30, 4 hours a week) that is CHF 43.31 a month. The supplement is wage, so contributions are due on it too.

Which option applies is set in the employment contract with your cleaner. The holiday calculator works out the days by workload and age.

The monthly figure above is what you pay on average. Four amounts come at a different time or only in certain cases:

1. 1. Once a year: the compensation office invoice

   In the simplified procedure you report the payroll by 30 January and get one invoice for the whole year, payable within 30 days. In the example that is about CHF 1'342. You have already deducted CHF 771 of it from her wage (her contributions and 5% tax at source). The rest is your contributions and CHF 36 in admin fees of the office. That fee is not in the CHF 35.08 above, it adds about 17 centimes an hour. Put CHF 112 aside every month.

2. 2. When she is ill

   Her wage continues: in the first year of service 3 weeks or 1 month, depending on the canton, longer after that. In the example each week costs you about CHF 140. A daily sickness allowance insurance covers this for a premium. How long you pay: cleaner off sick.

3. 3. When you cancel

   If you cancel a session, or you are on holiday while she is not, you still owe the wage. The cheapest way is to put her holidays on yours. What applies to short-notice cancellations, both ways: cleaner cancels on the day.

4. 4. When you give notice

   You pay the wage until the end of the notice period, even if you no longer need her: after probation, as a rule 1 month in the first year of service and 2 months from the 2nd to the 9th. In the example at least CHF 608. Her exact last day: notice period calculator.