Bridge Days (Brückentage)
Bridge days (Brückentage) are regular working days that fall between a public holiday and a weekend, creating a natural break. Swiss employers are not legally required to grant them as paid time off, but many do as a benefit or follow their industry GAV. The decision rests with you, though local practice in your canton matters.
A bridge day is a working day positioned between a public holiday and a weekend—for example, Friday 10 May if Monday 13 May is Whit Monday. The term applies across Switzerland, though specific dates shift by canton since some holidays are regional.
Whether to grant bridge days as paid time off is your choice. Swiss federal law (ArG) does not mandate them. However, your industry Gesamtarbeitsvertrag (GAV) may require them, and local hiring norms in your canton often influence what candidates expect.
When Bridge Days Matter
Bridge days surface during planning conversations—typically in January when employees ask about time off around Easter, Whit, or Christmas. They become relevant when you're drafting an employment contract or announcing your annual leave policy.
Your canton's public holiday calendar determines which days qualify. In Zurich, Bern, or Vaud, the dates differ. Check your cantonal labor office website to confirm which days are official holidays in your region.
- Public holidays vary by canton—some observe Berchtold's Day (2 Jan), others do not
- Bridge days most commonly cluster around Easter, Whit Monday, and Christmas/New Year
- Daypasses or four-day weeks often trigger bridge day conversations from staff
- Remote-work arrangements can affect whether bridge days feel necessary to your team
- Merger or hiring events are good moments to clarify your bridge day policy in writing
Your Legal Position and Obligations
The Federal Code of Obligations (ArG) guarantees 4 weeks of paid leave yearly (minimum 20 days). It does not include bridge days. You are free to grant or withhold them unless your GAV says otherwise—check your industry agreement carefully.
If your GAV mandates bridge days, you must honor it. If it is silent, the choice is yours. Communicate your decision clearly in writing at hiring or in your employee handbook, using plain language so there is no ambiguity come spring or autumn.
- ArG sets minimum leave at 20 days—bridge days are above and beyond this floor
- Check your GAV to see if it specifies bridge days or discretionary leave (Kompensation)
- Put your bridge day policy in the Arbeitsvertrag or employee handbook, not in a chat
- Treating employees differently risks disputes—apply the same rule across your team
- Part-time staff (e.g., 80% Pensum) receive proportional bridge days if you grant them
- Document any changes to your policy so you have a clear audit trail
The Most Common Mistake
Many SME founders grant bridge days informally—a quick yes to one person in March—then face resentment when they say no to the next request. This inconsistency creates morale problems and contract disputes.
The fix is simple: decide your policy once, write it down, and apply it uniformly. If you want to grant bridge days, list them or define the rule (e.g., 'all days between a public holiday and weekend'). If you prefer not to, state that clearly so there is no false expectation.
- Informal yes-or-no decisions breed resentment and unfair-treatment claims
- Employees remember a verbal promise—written policy protects you both
- Changing your policy mid-year creates the appearance of favoritism
- Part-time staff need equal clarity: if you grant bridge days, reduce their Pensum proportionally
- A brief HR note at hiring avoids the need to explain yourself later
- Swiss courts expect employers to apply conditions uniformly across similar roles
Frequently asked questions
- Do we have to give bridge days in Switzerland?
- No. Swiss federal law (ArG) does not require bridge days. You must provide 20 days of leave per year—bridge days are optional unless your GAV mandates them. Check your industry agreement and then decide your own policy.
- How do bridge days work for part-time employees at 60% Pensum?
- If you grant bridge days, a 60% employee receives 60% of that benefit. For example, if a 100% employee gets one paid bridge day, a 60% employee receives 0.6 days or slightly reduced hours on that date. Apply the same rule consistently.
- What is the most common bridge day period in Switzerland?
- Easter week (Good Friday to Easter Monday) and Whit Monday are the most frequent. Christmas to New Year also creates bridge days. Exact dates shift yearly. Check your canton's official holiday calendar to plan in advance.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.