FAQ

No, you are protected against dismissal during your sick leave.

The duration of protection depends on your length of service:

• 1st year: 1 month
• 2nd to 5th year: 3 months
• From the 6th year onwards: 6 months

You must notify your employer of your absence as soon as possible.

You are entitled to your salary as long as the absence is due to illness. Your employer may require proof in the form of a medical certificate from a doctor. It is customary for this requirement to be requested from the third day of absence onwards. 

If you are absent for more than three consecutive days, your employer may request a copy of the medical certificate, which you must also send to Chèque service.

Your salary must be paid during your absence, depending on whether or not you have taken out sick pay insurance (APGM). For more details, please contact Chèque service.

The legal duration of maternity leave is 16 consecutive weeks from the date of delivery. Special measures apply in the event of hospitalization or premature birth. 

It is possible to return to work before the end of maternity leave, however: 

• The first 8 weeks: working is strictly prohibited.
• The following 8 weeks: returning to work is possible, but not recommended.
• In the event of early return to work: loss of remaining maternity allowance.

The legal duration of maternity leave is 16 consecutive weeks from the date of delivery. Special measures apply in the event of hospitalization or premature birth. 

It is possible to return to work before the end of maternity leave, however: 

• The first 8 weeks: working is strictly prohibited.
• The following 8 weeks: returning to work is possible, but not recommended.
• In the event of early return to work: loss of remaining maternity allowance.

Yes, it is strongly recommended that you draw up a written employment contract, and this document must be signed by both parties.

Why choose a written agreement?

• Ensures better understanding between the parties
• Allows for written exceptions to certain articles of the Contrat-type de l'économie domestique (CTT)
• Provides protection in the event of a dispute
• Clarifies working conditions

Important :

• A contract template is available on our website.
• The worker may request written confirmation of the employment contract.
• The membership form does not replace an employment contract, but it does include the essential elements thereof.

In the event of illness or a non-work-related accident without insurance coverage, and when the employment relationship has lasted more than 3 months or has been agreed for a period of more than 3 months, the employer is required to pay the employee 100% of their salary for a limited period.

Duration of payment according to seniority:

• 1st year (after three months): three weeks' salary
• 2nd year: one month's salary
• 3rd-4th year: two months' salary
• 5th-9th year: three months' salary
• 10th-14th year: four months' salary
• 15th - 19th year: 5 months' salary

Employees earn the right to continued salary each year of service. If they're unable to work more than once in the same year, the absences are added together and don't create new entitlements. On each work anniversary, the Bern scale resets.

Important: 

• This scale is a legal minimum. Loss of earnings insurance or an employment contract may provide for more advantageous conditions.
• In the domestic economy, in order to apply the Bern scale, it must be mentioned in writing, ideally in the employment contract.

You must indicate this by clicking on “zero salary” and stating the reason (vacation, unpaid leave, illness, accident, etc.).

Important: It is not possible to indicate “0” hours worked, and a reason for non-payment of salary is mandatory.

You have two options:

1. Online

• Create your account on our website via “Join now”
• Follow the explanatory video available.
• Fill in all the required fields.
• Sign the registration form that you will receive by email.

2. Paper form

• Download the registration form
• Return it completed and signed by mail or email

Important :

• If you have been a customer before, use your old employer number (contact us if necessary).
• Regardless of the registration method chosen, the signed registration form is mandatory.

No, these are two separate documents:

Registration form

• Document for service check only
• Does not replace an employment contract

Employment contract

• Essential document to be drawn up separately
• Defines the working relationship between employer and employee
• A contract template is available under documents

Important : 

• The registration form covers the main points of an employment contract.
• An employment contract is essential for defining working conditions.

The registration constitutes a management mandate, in which the employer entrusts Chèque service with declaring their employees' salaries. It is an authorization granted by the employer for the management of social insurance, occupational pension plans (LPP), and withholding tax (additional mandate).

What you need to know

• The registration form must be signed by both the employer and the employee.
• Chèque service is not the employer but only manages the administrative aspects.
• Chèque service is not responsible for the working relationship or potential conflicts between employer and employee, see our terms and conditions.

Chèque service is only for individuals who hire domestic staff in Geneva.

Types of jobs covered (non-exhaustive list, see the CTT for more details)

• Domestic workers
• Care workers (children, elderly people)
• Gardeners

Important: not available to companies and associations, which should contact Office cantonal des assurances sociales.

Vacation can only be paid if the contract ends. It depends on your type of contract:

If “vacation not included”

• Yes, you must pay for any vacation not taken.

If “vacation included”

• No, compensation is already included in your salary.
• No additional payment is due.

Important: check your contract to find out which system applies.

Yes, however, the Contrat-type de l'économie domestique does not apply to:

• Spouses and registered partners
• Parents and children in direct line
• Spouses and partners of these persons
• Cohabiting partner

Important :

• For the family members listed above, other forms of declaration must be used.
• Contact the Office cantonal des assurances sociales for more information.

Contact Chèque service, who will order a duplicate for you. In the meantime, you can use the health insurance card.

You can grant power of attorney to a third party who will be able to manage your Chèque Service account.

Important:

• Power of attorney allows you to clearly define who can act on your behalf.
• You remain legally responsible for your account.
• Power of attorney can be revoked at any time.