The 16 weeks maternity leave and the time off for breastfeeding is standard across Switzerland. The employer has a legal obligation to give this time off to you.

The 16 week maternity leave exists in Switzerland, but only in the public sector. Even then, in the Geneva Canton what is guranteed is only 8 weeks on full pay. The federal law stipulates 14 weeks paid at 80% of salary or max 172 CHF per day.

When it comes to the breastfeeding policy, the Swiss law is not particularly generous: if the mother feeds the baby at work, then the time taken to breastfeed is counted as normal working hours. If she goes home to feed, then it it counted as 50% work. In some cantons (eg Vaud) there is 1 month breastfeeding leave that mothers can use in addition to the regular maternity leave.

But the implementation of these entitlements is what matters, and I understand that in many cases women do not fully use these rights (especially those related to breastfeeding) because it is either impractical or they are simply expected not to by their employers.

The maternity leave regulations apply regardless of whether it's public or private sector employment.

LAPG sets out the 98 day requirement at 80% of usual pay. This certainly applies to both private and public sectors. But this requirement dates from 2005, before there was no legal entitlement to paid maternity leave at all.

What I said is that, unlike in international organisations, fully paid 16 weeks of maternity leave is not a legal requirement in Switzerland, but I understand that it is a usual practice only in the public sector.

When I was on maternity leave 2 years ago I was legally entitled to 14 weeks paid leave plus 2 weeks unpaid. My employer was generous & paid me 100% rather than the 80% required by law. This was in the private sector.

Hi, It really sounds strange to me especially when we consider here Switzerland under discussion. I have been working for international company with both females and males. As far as I am concerned the gender does not play any role here. Salaries are based on experience and position occupied within the organization. Moreover there is no stereotypes dictating promotions and job grading. In fact our CEO is female who perform as good as anyone else here. If we succeed we celebrate together, if one goes down he drags entire organization to pitfall. No discrimination, no feminism... it is all welcome and embrassing so to say... There are enough work related problems on corporate level than simply worring about the fact that we have gender race...

I agree such phenomenon used to take place where I come from South Africa, at least in the past. However if I think about Switzerland it would be the last thing coming to my mind. Correct me if I am wrong my female Electrical Engineers who share same workload as anyone else here at ABB

Well, as far as I know it takes two to tango...
....but I guess it will take a looooong, looong time before paternity leave is a common choice/possibility here in Switzerland....

There's a five day paternity leave already. Not much, better than nothing.

On the other hand, Young women don't generally take several weeks off to play soldiers each year;Nor do foreigners such as myself. Moral: more dosh to me and teh wimminz pls.