How many days' notice do I have in the event of a collective dismissal?

In Switzerland, the notice for collective dismissal is established by the employment contract and by federal legislation. It is typically 1 month from the end of a calendar month, unless otherwise agreed. Bally should indicate the exact period in the formal communication. Check your individual contract and ask the company's HR for written confirmation if the initial communication is ambiguous.

I'm a border worker and I work at Bally Caslano. What unemployment benefit am I entitled to?

You are entitled to benefits from the Swiss CAD (Unemployment Insurance Fund), calculated on contributions paid during employment at Bally. This right persists even if you return and stay in Italy. You must register with the Ticino Employment Office shortly and declare unemployment also in Italy to access the Italian NASpI, if qualified (last 4 years of INPS contributions).

If I receive Swiss CAD and Italian NASpI unemployment at the same time, what happens?

You cannot receive two full unemployment checks at the same time. Switzerland and Italy coordinate performance according to the principle of the first disburser: typically the Swiss CAD has priority for coverage periods, after which you can resort to the Italian NASpI to continue. Consult your cantonal CAD and the Italian Employment Centre to formally synchronise your practices.

Do my AVS and AI contributions remain acquired during the period of unemployment?

Yes, completely. AVS/AI contributions paid to Bally remain captured in your individual federal account. During periods of unemployment with active benefit, the CAD automatically pays the AVS/AI contributions in your name according to the ordinary rates (5.3%), guaranteeing the continuity of the right to pension or old-age benefits. You don't lose contributory years.

If I find work in Italy before the end of the notice period, what happens to the CAD subsidy?

You must immediately notify the Ticino Employment Office and the CAD of the start of the new employment. Unemployment benefit is suspended from the effective date of commencement of the new job. If the new employment is not in Switzerland, check with the Italian Employment Centre to see if you are eligible for Italian subsidies (NASpI) based on your new INPS contributions.

Bally Caslano: 79 layoffs in one move (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 4 September 2026

Corporate building in Caslano, Ticino with Lake Lugano visible in background

The multinational announces the cutting of 25 administrative staff and 54 operational staff. Protests of the Council of State on the free market. What does the cross-border commuters need to know?

Context

In a nutshell

Bally Caslano announces collective dismissal of 79 employees (25 administrative, 54 operational)
The reduction is part of a structural process already underway ("umpteenth" dismissal)
Direct notification to workers and cantonal offices in Ticino
The Council of State confirms the applicability of the competitive framework

Key facts

What: Collective redundancy at Bally Caslano
When: Recent announcement (specific date not communicated by source)
Where: Caslano, Canton of Ticino
Who: Bally (operating company from Zug)
Impacted: 79 total employees
Composition: 25 administrative staff, 54 operational employees
Notification: Direct communication to workers and cantonal offices

The company Bally, led by Zug, has announced a massive new collective redundancy at the Caslano plant. According to the notice communicated to Ticino employees and cantonal offices, this tranche involves 79 people: 25 administrative sector employees and 54 operational employees of the plant.

The use of the word "umpteenth" in the press release reveals that this reduction is part of a process of structural contraction already underway. The company does not provide details on specific economic reasons or implementation history. This silence is typical in business communications during critical situations: the formal announcement usually precedes the analytical communications.

The institutional role and the framework

Operational details

What collective redundancy means for the frontier worker

Under Swiss law, collective redundancy is a procedure that affects at least 10 employees over a period of 30 days. Bally Caslano, with 79 people involved, far exceeds this threshold. Communication to workers must be in writing and must include the economic, technical or organisational reasons behind the decision.

For an Italian border worker employed at Bally Caslano, the dismissal activates rights protected by both Swiss (workplace) and Italian (place of residence) legislation. The Swiss employer cannot exempt itself from its obligations towards the border worker: the notice remains binding according to the contract, and severance pay follows the applicable Swiss legislation. The border worker does not lose protection for the mere fact of residing in Italy.

Concrete protections: CAD and acquired contributions

A key protection is registration with the CAD (Unemployment Insurance Fund), which is mandatory for all employees in Switzerland, including frontier workers. When the dismissal comes into effect and the border worker remains unemployed, he/she is entitled to unemployment benefits of the CAD based on contributions paid during employment. The duration of the allowance depends on the length of service and the age of the worker.

During the notice period, the border crossing continues to

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

Immediate actions for the dismissed cross-border worker

If you are a cross-border worker affected by the Bally Caslano dismissal, the next steps are crucial and require promptness. Swiss and Italian authorities have specific deadlines for activating your rights.

Step 1: Verify the formal terms of the dismissal

Request a complete and certified copy of the dismissal notice in writing. Ensure it clearly indicates:

The exact termination date
The notice period applied (days or months, and from which date it starts)
The reason (collective dismissal for economic/organizational reasons, in your case)
The address to receive the final documentation

Keep all official company messages, pay slips from the last 6 months, and the original employment contract.

Step 2: Check the contribution balance with CAD

Access your individual account with the CAD of the Canton Ticino (online or at the office) and verify the total contributions paid since your start date at Bally. This amount directly determines your right and the duration of unemployment benefits. If the recorded contributions do not match your pay slips, report the discrepancy immediately: you have the right to correction.

Step 3: Register with the Ticino Employment Office

Before the notice period expires (or immediately afterward), register with the Employment Office of the Canton Ticino. This formal step officially activates your right to CAD benefits and documents your active job search. If you permanently reside in Italy, provide your permanent address and cell phone number: you will remain contactable for job offers in Ticino and can maintain them from your home.

Step 4: Recalculate the final pay slip

The employer is required to issue a final pay slip (on the last day of work) that includes:

…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days' notice do I have in the event of a collective dismissal?: In Switzerland, the notice for collective dismissal is established by the employment contract and by federal legislation. It is typically 1 month from the end of a calendar month, unless otherwise agreed. Bally should indicate the exact period in the formal communication. Check your individual contract and ask the company's HR for written confirmation if the initial communication is ambiguous.
I'm a border worker and I work at Bally Caslano. What unemployment benefit am I entitled to?: You are entitled to benefits from the Swiss CAD (Unemployment Insurance Fund), calculated on contributions paid during employment at Bally. This right persists even if you return and stay in Italy. You must register with the Ticino Employment Office shortly and declare unemployment also in Italy to access the Italian NASpI, if qualified (last 4 years of INPS contributions).
If I receive Swiss CAD and Italian NASpI unemployment at the same time, what happens?: You cannot receive two full unemployment checks at the same time. Switzerland and Italy coordinate performance according to the principle of the first disburser: typically the Swiss CAD has priority for coverage periods, after which you can resort to the Italian NASpI to continue. Consult your cantonal CAD and the Italian Employment Centre to formally synchronise your practices.
Do my AVS and AI contributions remain acquired during the period of unemployment?: Yes, completely. AVS/AI contributions paid to Bally remain captured in your individual federal account. During periods of unemployment with active benefit, the CAD automatically pays the AVS/AI contributions in your name according to the ordinary rates (5.3%), guaranteeing the continuity of the right to pension or old-age benefits. You don't lose contributory years.
If I find work in Italy before the end of the notice period, what happens to the CAD subsidy?: You must immediately notify the Ticino Employment Office and the CAD of the start of the new employment. Unemployment benefit is suspended from the effective date of commencement of the new job. If the new employment is not in Switzerland, check with the Italian Employment Centre to see if you are eligible for Italian subsidies (NASpI) based on your new INPS contributions.