Postman fired after 42 years. Bern, in the end, does not intervene (cross-border guide)
A Vodese postman has been fired after 42 years of service. The Federal Council did not want to intervene in the matter.
Contesto
In a nutshell - A vodese postman has been fired after 42 years of service. - The Post Office suspended him for delivering packages up to the upper floors, in contravention of internal directives. - The Federal Council has decided not to intervene in the matter, invoking the separation of competences. - The postman had been formally warned several times before the measure was adopted. ## Key facts - What: Dismissal of a Vodese postman. - When: February 2026 (suspension), June 2026 (dismissal). - Where: Canton Vaud (Vd), Switzerland. - Who: Jean-Daniel Taverney, Vodese postman. - Amount: Not specified. The story involving Jean-Daniel Taverney, a postman in the Canton of Vaud, has sparked a heated debate, not only at the local level but also at the national level. After 42 years of service at Swiss Post, the man was first suspended and later fired for repeatedly ignoring a company directive that required him not to deliver packages to the upper floors of buildings. The rule, introduced in 2024 with the aim of optimising delivery times, requires that parcels be deposited exclusively on the ground floor or in dedicated boxes, with explicit exceptions. 📊 Contextual data: According to a report published by La Posta in 2025, the adoption of this measure would have reduced average delivery times by 15%, improving operational efficiency in an industry
Dettagli operativi
Implications of the decision The Post Office's decision to fire a postman from Vaud after 42 years of uninterrupted service has sparked a heated debate in Switzerland. At the heart of the discussion is the question of the Federal Council's powers over redundancies within the Swiss Post, a public company with broad managerial autonomy. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), reiterated that the Federal Council does not have the power to intervene directly in personnel law matters, a position that underlines the boundary between political and operational governance. This position suggests that the Post Office, although owned by the Confederation, enjoys a high degree of independence in its business decisions, including dismissals. However, this autonomy also implies greater responsibility in ensuring that the decisions taken are perceived as fair and transparent. This specific case could set an important precedent for the more than 39,000 employees who work for the Post Office throughout Switzerland. The risk is that the story will be interpreted as a sign of little support for long-term workers, especially in a context in which many public companies are reviewing their operating models. ### Political and parliamentary reactions The news of the ## Recommended tools For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.
Punti chiave
What to do concretely For Swiss Post employees who are in situations similar to that of a colleague fired after 42 years of service, it is essential to know their rights and the options available. The Post Office is bound by a code of conduct that regulates its operations and working relationships. However, for dismissed employees, the possibilities for appeal appear to be limited, especially in the absence of a clear redundancy protection framework for long-term workers. ## Employee Procedure 1. Check Swiss Post's Code of Conduct : This document, accessible on the official website, describes the company's ethical principles and rules. For example, the code provides for transparency obligations in the communication of decisions such as dismissal. 2. Contact your union or employee association : Unions such as Syndicom represent Post Office workers and can offer legal support. According to a 2022 report, Syndicom followed over 150 dismissal cases, obtaining favorable mediations for about 30% of the employees involved. 3. Verify internal appeal procedures : The Post Office has an internal process to challenge dismissals, but the time to file an appeal may be tight. For example, the appeal must be initiated within 10 working days of notification of the dismissal. 4. Consult a lawyer specialized in law Evaluating a Ticino job offer? Simulate your net payslip: enter gross salary, marital status and municipality for a detailed breakdown. Source: tio.ch
Punti chiave
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the appeal possibilities for an employee dismissed from Swiss Post?
- The possibilities of appeal for an employee dismissed from Swiss Post seem to be limited. The Federal Council has stated that it has no competence to conduct an examination in matters of personnel law, so the Post Office has full autonomy in its personnel decisions.
- What to do if you are fired from Swiss Post after many years of service?
- If you are dismissed from Swiss Post after many years of service, it is important to check the Post's code of conduct and contact the employee union or association, if applicable. You can also consult a lawyer specializing in employment law to evaluate the options available.