Temporary work increases again in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Temporary work in Switzerland increased by 1.5% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year.
• The number of permanent placements decreased by 19.4%.

Key facts

• What: Temporary work in Switzerland
• When: First semester 2023
• Where: Switzerland
• Who: Swissstaffing
• Amount: 1.5%

Temporary work in Switzerland registered an increase of 1.5% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to a report published by Swissstaffing. The number of permanent placements, on the other hand, decreased by 19.4%.

The data was commented by Marius Osterfeld, chief economist at Swissstaffing, who noted that Swiss industrial production recorded a positive trend at the beginning of the year, thanks to the reduction in geopolitical tensions. This has generated an increase in the demand for temporary work in the industry sector and a slight increase in the hours worked.

In addition, temporary work represents for many companies an important tool of flexibility in times of economic uncertainty. According to Swissstaffing data, in the canton of Zurich, for example, temporary work registered an increase of 2.5% in the first half of 2023, while in the canton of Geneva it decreased by 10.2%.

Temporary work is a widespread phenomenon throughout Switzerland, with a significant impact on the country's economy. According to the data of the

Operational details

Artificial intelligence (AI) is posing new challenges to staff providers. The introduction of new technologies and the consequent reorganization of processes require investments. However, AI also represents an opportunity for staffers, as rising unemployment and artificial intelligence have led to a wave of applications.

According to a survey conducted among Swissstaffing members, 79% of operators already use AI. Above all, the focus is on increasing efficiency and improving recruitment processes.

Increasing efficiency is a key issue for staff providers. According to another survey conducted by Mercer, 63% of Swiss operators consider AI as a key factor in improving the efficiency of recruitment processes. This is especially true for large operators, such as the insurance company Zurich, which has invested over 10 million Swiss francs in the creation of an automated recruitment system.

Improving recruitment processes is another important aspect. According to a report by the Swiss Bank, 45% of Swiss operators consider AI as a key factor in improving the quality of candidates. This is especially true for sectors such as technology and finance, where AI can help identify the most suitable candidates for the role.

Switzerland is a

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Key points

33% of the companies surveyed expect an increase in activity in the next six months, a figure in line with those of the previous quarters. However, the possibility that the temporary work branch continues its growth trend will depend above all on the evolution of geopolitical events, with their cascading effects on the economic situation.

According to a recent study, the temporary labour market in Switzerland is growing steadily, with an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year. Most of the companies surveyed indicated that their main objective is to increase their flexibility and reduce the costs of hiring permanent employees.

In particular, companies in the technology and communications sector are the most in need of temporary staff, with an increase of 25% compared to the same period last year. In contrast, companies in the manufacturing and basic services sector are the least in need of temporary staff, with an increase of only 5%.

The growth in temporary work is also partly due to Swiss legislation, such as the Temporary Work Act of 2019, which introduced new rules for the hiring of fixed-term employees. In addition, Switzerland has also introduced a new accreditation system for temporary workers, which allows the recognition of training credits acquired by workers

First day as a cross-border worker? Our practical guide walks you from cantonal registration to your first paycheck.

Source: tio.ch