Hi, does anyone know if 2nd is official holiday and what constitutes it being official or not? Our employer says its not and we do not get it off.

thanks

It is not a legal holiday in canton Zurich. It used to be customary for offices to be closed, but this is by no means compulsory (unless there is a collective bargaining agreement [GAV] that stipulates it's a day off).

Employer is correct.

If you are used to getting a day off as a replacement to a public holiday falling on a weekend then it is now time to adjust your expectations as that doesn't happen here.

January 02 is a day off in ZH - I don't know any stores or businesses that are open. Consider it free.

Berchtoldstag

that is not true, the entire Bahnhofstrasse is open. I got to the sales every year then and get some good bargains.

According to your link, it's not an official holiday. AWA agrees. So while an employer may be a bum [(c) Bob Hawke] if they ask you to work, they're legally entitled to do so unless there's a GAV that says otherwise.

A perfect day to go shopping in Kanton Schwyz!

I asked my line manager (at big company in ZRH) and he said that yes it is a public holiday and that we'll be getting it off.