FAQ

This procedure must be carried out at the OCPM (Office cantonal de la population et des migrations), route de Chancy 88, 1213 Onex.  

Numerous associations also provide information and support: 

• The Swiss-Immigrant Contact Center
• Protestant Social Center 
• Support Group for Undocumented Migrants
• EPER

For healthcare: Consultation ambulatoire

Important:

• This procedure is independent of Chèque service

Yes, all employment relationships must be declared from the beginning. Your employer will need to contact us to sign up for Chèque service or for more information.

Important: this is a legal requirement that ensures you have more coverage for retirement.

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.

There are two different situations:

Overtime

This refers to hours worked in excess of the hours agreed in the contract.

Must be compensated in accordance with the agreement with the employee.

According to the Contrat-type de l'économie domestique (CTT), Article 7, paragraph 2, Work on Sundays and public holidays.

The employee can choose between:

A 50% wage increase or paid leave with a 50% increase.

Important:

The employee's agreement is required for Sunday work.

The choice of compensation is up to the employee.

The conditions must be set out in writing.

Yes, it is strongly recommended that you draw up a written employment contract; you can request this from your employer, 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
• 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 registration form does not replace an employment contract, but it does include the essential elements thereof.

It is important to distinguish between intentional damage or damage caused by misuse (to be proven) and damage caused by normal use or a lack of information given to the employee on how to use the equipment.

The employer is responsible for economic risks, which includes the proper use of the right tools. 

In the event of damage, there is a procedure to follow:

For the employee

• Must report the damage immediately.
• Inform the employer of the circumstances of the incident.

For the employer

• Has 30 days to claim compensation, if compensation is warranted. (i.e., if the damage was caused intentionally or through negligence)
• Must inform the employee of their intention
• After 30 days, loses the right to claim

Important:

• The 30-day period begins when the damage is discovered
• If no claim is made within this period, the employer waives all claims
• It is advisable to deal with the situation in writing

Social insurance is essential to protect both you and your employee. 

• Accident coverage: your employee is covered if an accident occurs during work or while commuting. Medical care and lost wages are covered.
• Long-term security: AVS/AI contributions allow your employee to build up their pension and be protected in the event of disability.
• Unemployment coverage: if you have to reduce their hours or terminate their contract, your employee benefits from financial protection.
• Legal obligation: you must comply with the law and are therefore required to declare every employee you hire.

Chèque service takes care of all the administrative procedures related to these insurances for you.

Advance payment is necessary because social security contributions must be covered before the declaration. This is how the Swiss system works: contributions must be paid before the period in question.

Important: this system guarantees the payment of social security contributions and protects your employee.

Yes, if you are subject to withholding tax, your employer is required to deduct it from your salary.

Important: your employer is simply applying tax law.

No, these are two separate documents:

Membership 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.

Between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., different rates apply to the minimum wage:

This depends on the number of interruption :

• 60% of the wage for an uninterrupted shift
• 80% if an intervention is necessary
• 125% if several interventions are necessary

If the employee is required to work during this time, the salary must be increased up to 125%.

Important :

• These increases apply to the legal minimum wage.
• The rates vary depending on the interventions.
• These conditions must be specified in the contract.

By default, the DSBI applies.

To check, you can consult your pay slips or ask your employers directly. If “DSBI” is not mentioned, this means that the agreement you have with your employer applies.

Important :

• The DSBI applies by contract; only contracts with DSBI are taken into account when calculating compensation.
• Another system is possible but must be specified in your contract.
• If in doubt, contact Chèque service.

To be eligible for maternity allowance, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have been insured with the AVS for the 9 months prior to giving birth.
• You must have been gainfully employed for at least 5 months during those 9 months.

Important:

• The duration of leave is 16 weeks (14 federal weeks + 2 cantonal weeks)
• If you return to work before the end of your leave, you will lose your entitlement to the remaining allowances