Cleaning lady off sick: what you must pay and for how long
Your cleaner texts at 7am: sick, not coming. Now what? Continued pay is still owed - and without accident insurance, you're personally liable if it turns out to be more than a cold. Here's what you need to do in the first 24 hours, and what you don't.
Key takeaways
- 1Continued pay is mandatory - even under the simplified payroll procedure (Art. 324a CO).
- 2Duration depends on years of service: 3 weeks in year 1, up to 6 months from year 20 (Bern scale).
- 3From the 3rd day of illness you may request a medical certificate - best to anchor it in the contract.
- 4Daily sickness benefit insurance (1-3% of gross salary) replaces continued-pay duty and covers up to 720 days.
- 5Accident ≠ illness: UVG is mandatory, daily sickness benefit insurance is optional - both belong in every setup.
Yes, you keep paying her wage. Illness counts as no-fault prevention (Art. 324a CO) - continued pay applies even under the simplified procedure and for hourly work. How long depends on years of service: 3 weeks in year 1, more after that.
- Duration (Bern scale): year 1 = 3 weeks, year 2 = 1 month, years 3-4 = 2 months, rising after that.
- You may ask for a medical certificate from the 3rd day of illness - or from day 1 if set in the contract.
- With daily sickness benefits insurance (KTG), the insurer pays 80% for up to 720 days instead of just weeks.
This applies when
Your cleaning lady is employed by you (hourly too) - open-ended or for more than 3 months (Art. 324a CO).
Employer obligations in case of illness
When your cleaner falls ill, you have a legal obligation to continue paying their salary. This also applies under the simplified billing procedure and for part-time employment.
The legal basis is Art. 324a CO (Code of Obligations). This article obliges the employer to continue paying wages for a limited period in case of non-culpable inability to work - including illness.
The first 24 hours
Your cleaner is ill? Here's how to stay calm and legally safe.
- 1
Receive the sick note
Day 0 — your cleaner reports in sick.
- 2
Reply kindly
Her pay continues — no need to worry.
- 3
Request a medical certificate
Ask for a certificate from day 3 onwards.
- 4
Document the absence
Note the date, duration and certificate.
- 5
Settle as continued pay
For a longer illness, consider daily sickness benefits insurance.
Important
- •Continued pay is mandatory: You must continue paying the full salary even when the cleaner is not working.
- •Non-culpable inability: Illness counts as non-culpable inability to work - self-inflicted illness (e.g. from extreme sports) may be excluded.
- •Also with hourly wages: Even if your domestic worker is paid by the hour, the continued pay obligation applies. The average salary of the last 12 months is the basis.
Example sick notification
Maria
online
Good morning Mrs Müller, I'm feeling unwell and can't come today. Sorry for the short notice!
07:42Get well soon Maria! No problem. Let me know when you're feeling better.
07:58Thanks! I'll keep you posted.
08:01One tap — the message is ready.
›You stay in control — tap, copy, tweak, send.
How long do I have to pay?
The duration of continued pay depends on the years of service. In practice, most cantons follow the Bern Scale, which also applies to private households under the simplified procedure:
Read more about continued wage payment and the Bern scale.
Continued pay (Bern Scale)
Continued-pay calculator
See how long you must keep paying the wage — and what it costs you.
CHF/month
Duration of continued pay
2 months
Your cost (full wage)
CHF 1'200
if the illness uses the whole period
With daily sickness benefits insurance (KTG): ≈ CHF 240
A KTG policy usually covers 80% of the wage after a short waiting period — your own share drops significantly.
Guideline values per the Bern scale (most common in the simplified procedure; the Basel/Zurich scales may differ). The relevant figure is the average wage of the last 12 months. For open-ended employment the obligation applies from day one; only fixed-term engagements of up to 3 months are exempt (Art. 324a CO).
Good to know
Example: Your cleaner has worked for you for 1 year and falls ill for 6 weeks. Under the Bern Scale, you must continue paying wages for 1 month. The remaining 2 weeks are not covered - unless you have daily sickness benefit insurance.
Requesting a medical certificate
As an employer, you have the right to request a medical certificate (certificate of incapacity for work). In practice:
- •From the 3rd day is standard: Most employers require a medical certificate from the 3rd day of illness. You can specify this in the employment contract .
- •From the 1st day is possible: In the employment contract, you can agree that a certificate is required from the first day. This is useful for recurring short absences.
- •The certificate must contain: Duration of incapacity for work and degree (e.g. 50% or 100%). It does not need to include the diagnosis.
- •Employee bears the cost: The cost of the medical certificate is generally borne by the employee, unless the employer requests a trusted doctor's certificate.
Tip: Regulate in the contract
Without a medical certificate from day 3, everything is up to interpretation - with one, the facts are documented.
Cleaning & Household
The classic: rights, safety and pro techniques for cleaners.
- ~40 min
- in your language
- PDF certificate with QR code
Daily sickness benefit insurance (KTG)
Daily sickness benefit insurance (KTG) is a voluntary insurance that covers loss of wages during illness. It is particularly interesting for employers of domestic workers:
Benefits of KTG insurance
✓ Covered for up to 720 days
The insurance pays 80% of the insured salary for up to 720 days (instead of just a few weeks under the Bern Scale).
✓ Replaces statutory continued pay
If the KTG policy is at least equivalent (80% of pay for 720 days) and agreed in writing, it replaces the statutory continued-pay obligation under Art. 324a para. 4 CO.
✓ Affordable premiums
Costs typically range from 1-3% of gross salary. Employer and employee often share the premium equally.
✓ Planning security
You know exactly what to expect in case of illness - no surprising continued pay obligations over months.
KTG calculation example
Your cleaner earns CHF 2,000 per month (gross):
Without KTG, you would have to pay up to 2 months of full salary yourself in the 3rd year of service - that would be CHF 4,000 out of your own pocket.
Note: KTG insurance is not mandatory under the simplified billing procedure. Many employers are unaware that they have this option. Check with our social insurance checkwhich insurances apply to your situation.
Accident vs. illness - what's the difference?
For domestic workers, it is crucial to distinguish between accident and illness. The insurance coverage is completely different:
Accident (UVG)
- •Insurance: Mandatory (UVG)
- •Benefits: 80% from 3rd day, unlimited
- •Premium: Employer (OA), employee (NOA)
- •Medical costs: Fully covered by UVG
- •Dismissal protection: During treatment
Illness
- •Insurance: Voluntary (KTG)
- •Benefits: Art. 324a CO or KTG
- •Premium: 50% each (standard)
- •Medical costs: Health insurance (KVG)
- •Dismissal protection: 30/90/180 days (protection period)
Who pays? Accident or illness
Tap the case — see instantly who covers the cost.
Choose a case above.
Everything about accident insurance (UVG) for domestic help.
Caution with accidents
A worked example: Maria, the cleaner
Work accident (BU)
Maria slips while cleaning stairs and sprains her ankle. UVG pays 80% of her wage from day 3 plus all medical costs - you cover the first 2 days, and that's it.
Off-work accident (NBU)
Maria sprains her ankle skiing at the weekend. If she works ≥ 8 hrs/week for you and is properly registered UVG also covers the NBU. Otherwise the health insurer covers medical costs and you owe continued pay under the Bern scale.
Illness (e.g. flu)
UVG pays nothing. You pay under the Bern scale (3 weeks in year 1) - or the daily sickness benefit insurance steps in and covers 80% of the wage.
Practical tips for illness cases
Tips for sickness situations - step by step
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to continue paying my cleaner's salary when they are sick?
Yes. Under Art. 324a CO, you are obliged to continue paying wages. The duration depends on the years of service and the applicable scale (Bern, Basel or Zurich Scale). In the first year of service, it is at least 3 weeks.
When can I request a medical certificate?
There is no fixed legal deadline, but it is common to request a medical certificate from the 3rd day of illness. In the employment contract, you can also require a certificate from the 1st day.
What is the difference between UVG and daily sickness benefit?
UVG accident insurance is mandatory and covers occupational accidents; non-occupational accidents are only covered if the employee works at least 8 hours per week for you. Daily sickness benefit (KTG) is voluntary and covers loss of wages during illness - 80% of salary for up to 720 days.
Is daily sickness benefit insurance worth it for my cleaner?
Yes, especially with regular employment. KTG insurance costs about 1-3% of gross salary and protects you from long-term continued pay obligations. Agreed in writing and at least equivalent, it replaces the statutory continued pay (Art. 324a para. 4 CO).
How does Clino help with illness cases?
Clino automatically documents absences, calculates the correct continued pay based on years of service, and reminds you of deadlines. This keeps you legally on the safe side.
Further reading
Sources & further information
- 1CO Art. 324a - Continued payment of wages during illness - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/27/317_321_377/de#art_324_a
- 2Standard employment contract for domestic workers (SR 221.215.329.4) - www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/724/de
- 3SECO - Employment law - www.seco.admin.ch/seco/de/home/Arbeit/Personenfreizugigkeit_Arbeitsbeziehungen/Arbeitsrecht.html
- 4AHV Information Centre - Social insurance - www.ahv-iv.ch/de/
Manage illness cases safely
With Clino, you keep track of absences, continued pay and insurance. Step by step, legally correct and paperwork-free. Calculate your costs with our cost calculator.
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Legal notice: This article provides general information on continued pay and daily sickness benefit insurance in Switzerland. It does not replace legal advice. The exact provisions may vary depending on the canton and employment contract. For specific questions, please consult a specialist. Information is based on Art. 324a CO and the UVG, as of 2026.
