Legal
Cleaning lady off sick: what you must pay and for how long
How long and how much do you pay?
Per your canton's standard contract, answer in francs.
Full wage during illness in year 2 of service
8 weeks
For this period you pay CHF 1'577 (gross wage, if the illness lasts the whole period)
With KTG you pay the first 30 days: CHF 845
The NAV ZH only requires 80 % of the wage in these days (Art. 12 Abs. 3); the figure uses 100 %, as Clino's payroll does.
In the canton of Zurich daily sickness benefit insurance (KTG) is mandatory. Without a policy you are liable yourself for what the insurer would have paid (NAV hauswirtschaftliche Arbeitnehmer ZH (LS 821.12), Art. 13a).
The duty applies from the first working day.
Basis: NAV hauswirtschaftliche Arbeitnehmer ZH (LS 821.12), Art. 11 Abs. 1
Next question: who books the sick days correctly on the payslip every month? Clino counts them per your canton's table.
Register, sick days included →
Yes, you keep paying her wage, hourly work included (Art. 324a CO). How long is set by the standard employment contract of the canton where she works: 3 weeks or 1 month in year 1, more after that. The check works out your case in francs, with and without daily sickness benefit insurance.
Employer obligations in case of illness
Illness is a no-fault inability to work: you keep paying the full wage for a limited time (Art. 324a CO). This also applies under the simplified billing procedure, for part-time work and for hourly wages. The basis is then the average wage of the last 12 months. When the duty starts depends on the canton: from day one, after probation or from the 4th month.
If she cancels because something came up instead, different rules apply to a same-day cancellation.
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
Wish her well. Don't ask about the diagnosis.
- 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.
How long do I have to pay?
The duration is set by the standard employment contract (NAV) for domestic staff of the canton where she works. Only where it has no table of its own does the Bern scale apply. That is why even the first years differ:
Full wage during illness, per year of service
| Canton | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 5 | Year 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 3 weeks | 8 weeks | 11 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Bern | 1 month | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months |
| Vaud | 3 weeks | 1 month | 3 months | 4 months |
| Aargau | 3 weeks | 1 month | 3 months | 4 months |
| St. Gallen | 1 month | 2 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Lucerne | 3 weeks | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months |
| Geneva | 3 weeks | 1 month | 3 months | 4 months |
| Basel-Stadt | 1 month | 2 months | 3 months | 3 months |
Vaud: from 20 hours per week a higher table applies. The check above covers all 26 cantons.
The three scales (Bern, Basel, Zurich) compared. And if the illness drags on and continued pay runs out, our guide to sick pay and disability insurance (IV) explains what happens next.
Requesting a medical certificate
You may ask for a medical certificate. It is usual from the 3rd day of illness; in the signed employment contract you can require it from day 1. The certificate states the duration and degree of incapacity, not the diagnosis.
Daily sickness benefit insurance (KTG)
Daily sickness benefit insurance (KTG) pays 80% of the wage for up to 720 days. In 15 cantons the standard contract of the place of work requires it, usually from day 31 of illness: you pay the first 30 days. If the policy is at least equivalent and agreed in writing, it replaces continued pay (Art. 324a para. 4 CO).
Accident vs. illness - what's the difference?
An accident is a matter for the mandatory accident insurance (UVG), an illness is not. Off-work accidents are only covered if she works at least 8 hours per week for you. Otherwise you pay as for an illness.
Who pays? Accident or illness
Tap the case: see instantly who covers the cost.
Choose a case above.
Book sick days correctly
Clino records absences and puts continued pay on the payslip per your canton's table, plus AHV registration, accident insurance and the wage certificate.
Start for freeFrequently asked questions
Do I have to continue paying my cleaner's salary when they are sick?
When can I request a medical certificate?
What is the difference between UVG and daily sickness benefit?
Is daily sickness benefit insurance worth it for my cleaner?
Can I dismiss my cleaner while she is ill?
Working without a contract?
We help you for free to understand your work situation and get things sorted. Write to us or leave your details. We'll get back to you personally.
One quick thing: where are you right now?
Sources & further information
- CO Art. 324a - Continued payment of wages during illness - fedlex.admin.ch
- Standard employment contract for domestic workers (SR 221.215.329.4) - fedlex.admin.ch
- SECO - Employment law - seco.admin.ch
- AHV Information Centre - Social insurance - ahv-iv.ch
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. Information is based on Art. 324a CO, the cantonal standard employment contracts and the UVG, as of 2026.