Fixed-term internship contract for Switzerland

Use this contract:

• If you want to take on a trainee for a certain period on a paid basis.
• To assess their skills in any field, from manual labour to office staff.
• Whether full-time or part-time, combined or not with current studies.

Protect yourself legally as an employer with the following options: 

• Clear definition of working hours and breaks, with a general obligation to work overtime if necessary, and a holiday schedule. 
• Prohibition of accessory work in the case of full-time employment and during holidays. 
• Possibility of payment in lieu of dismissal leave, suspension from work as a disciplinary measure, and immediate termination for cause. 
• Condition precedent to employment, duty of loyalty, diligence, and obligation to return equipment and tools in the same condition. 

Offer the following protection and benefits to the trainee: 

• Salary net of all taxes and social security contributions, 13th salary and shorter payment periods. 
• Extended entitlement to additional holiday, paid or unpaid leave. 
• Entitlement to all or part of tips received from customers.

A fixed-term internship agreement is a legal document signed between an employer and an intern to outline the rights, duration, and scope of work during an internship. With this document, it’s possible to assess the trainee’s skills, with no irrevocable promise of employment even in the event of a satisfactory assessment.

Employers use a template for internship: 

• To take on a trainee for a certain period on a paid basis (for example: seasonal or project-based work).
• To assess trainee’s skills in any field, from manual labour to office staff.
• To establish a secured full-time or part-time cooperation, combined or not with current studies.

Key aspects of a fixed-term internship agreement 

This type of cooperation is primarily made to provide students with practical experience and the ability to apply the knowledge they have gained at college, university, or any other place of study. While for employers this is a chance to evaluate intern’s performance and have an extra workforce within a specified timeframe.  

The document should clearly outline the start and end days of the cooperation.  

If an employer wants to continue the work with an intern, he or she should follow the specific guidelines and procedures for extending the internship. These aspects are usually covered in the document itself and also can be negotiated.  

Seven tips on a fixed-term internship agreement 

To legally protect yourself as an employer, we encourage you to opt for the next points: 

• Clear definition of working hours and breaks, with a general obligation to work overtime if necessary, and a holiday schedule. 
• Prohibition of accessory work in the case of full-time employment and during holidays. 
• Possibility of payment in lieu of dismissal leave, suspension from work as a disciplinary measure, and immediate termination for cause. 
• Condition precedent to employment, duty of loyalty, diligence, and obligation to return equipment and tools in the same condition. 

The agreement should offer protection and benefits to the trainee as well. These might be: 

• Salary net of all taxes and social security contributions, 13th salary, and shorter payment periods. 
• Extended entitlement to additional holiday, paid or unpaid leave. 
• Entitlement to all or part of tips received from customers. 

Create a fixed-term internship agreement with AdminTech 

Using AdminTech online document builder and an internship agreement form, the only required thing is to fill in the fields with the appropriate information, tailoring the document to the specific situation.  

A professional internship contract sample covers the following information:  

• Intern’s name and address 
• Intern’s job title and requirements associated with this position 
• Internship duration 
• Work hours  
• Payment details  
• Compensation and benefits 
• Intellectual property rights 
• Termination clause.  

FAQ on a fixed-term internship agreement 

What’s a fixed-term internship template for employers?  

A fixed-term internship template from AdminTech provides employers with an opportunity to create a professional document that can be used during the cooperation with interns. The contract sample is made by a lawyer and is governed by Swiss law. 

How many hours can an intern work per week? 

The number of working hours that an intern is allowed to take is generally aligned with those for regular employees, which is up to 45 hours per week in the industry and up to 50 hours in the trade sector. So, while filling in an internship agreement form it’s important to comply with the specified norms. 

Is a fixed-term internship agreement applicable solely to full-time employment, or can it also be part-time?  

A fixed-term internship agreement applies to both full-time and part-time employment. The decision on the cooperation type, as well as on working hours and days, is up to the company.   

Is a fixed-term internship agreement always paid? 

Whether it is a paid internship agreement or not depends on the policies that a company has when it comes to offering an internship program. The question of payment is typically negotiated at the beginning of cooperation and employers can offer the interns the following options: 

• A fixed hourly rate 
• A fixed monthly wage 
• Compensation based on performance  
• Bonuses.  

Can a paid internship agreement lead to employment in Switzerland? 

A paid internship agreement doesn’t necessarily lead to employment. However, there are situations when employers refer to such cooperation when they want to identify whether the person has enough knowledge to work in a company.  

What is the minimum age requirement for internships in Switzerland? 

The minimum age requirement for an internship is the same as the minimum age for employment. That’s 15 years. But interns, as well as workers, that are aged from 15 to 18 are subject to specific restrictions on the type of work, working hours, and conditions.  

Are fixed-term interns entitled to any employee benefits? 

Whether fixed-term interns will receive any employee benefits or not depends on company policies and the nature of cooperation itself. For example, privileges are unlikely for short-term internships that last just for several weeks or one month. However, during long-term cooperation with an intern, companies may offer such benefits as: 

• Additional vacation and holidays 
• Training 
• Supplementary compensation. 

When it comes to holidays and vacation, using our legal form for internship agreement, you as an employer can include a specific number of days that you’ll decide based on the cooperation aspects.   

Can an internship agreement be terminated before its fixed term ends? 

Yes, it can be terminated before a specified end date. A fixed-term internship agreement typically covers a termination clause, where it might be stated that both an intern and an employer are allowed to terminate the agreement under certain circumstances. For example, this might be if either party breaches the terms of a signed document. The contract may also permit termination by notice. In this case, there should be a specified notice period within which one party has to inform the other of the intention to terminate the agreement.   

How can employers ensure a successful fixed-term internship experience? 

To ensure a successful internship experience, that’s generally advisable for employers to: 

• Comply with Swiss Labor Law on minimum wage, working hours, safety, equality, etc. 
• Clarify the intern’s responsibilities within a company and share all the information that this person might use during his or her work. 
• Draft and sign a fixed-term internship agreement. 
• Assign a mentor to whom the intern will turn when help is needed. 
• Give regular feedback on the intern’s performance.