Hey everybody:
I currently work as an au pair for a single parent family in Zug, Switzerland. Because of many communication problems, the parent wants me to leave, and said I have until the end of march (3 days?!) to leave. I know this is against the contract, so I will try to fight to stay longer.
My question/problem, is that I don't know what to do after I leave the family. I REALLY want to stay in Switzerland until the middle of the summer, but I wouldn't have a place to stay/income. I have a Visa, but no way to stay in the country. Any suggestions how I can find a job? I have done all I can on the au pair websites, looking for potential families. I was thinking perhaps a piano or percussion teacher? What about extra help in a hotel/resort/restaurant/etc?

Sorry to meet all of you on these terms
JW

Or maybe should I look outside of the country?

Sorry... I would have answered, but I'm still thinking about a situation involving sticky au pairs...

What kind of Visa do you have? Are you allowed to stay in Switzerland even if you're not working?

Are you legally employed with a work visa as well as the contract? If so have you spoken to your Gemeinde about being evicted? They would probably have emergency accomodation if you do get thrown out. But have you tried to talk to your employer & work out a compromise?

Great minds and all that.

http://www.englishforum.ch/jobs-offe...vip-hosts.html

JW, when I am typing there are no replies but I hope somebody will come up with some kind of info, in the meantime, go to the nearest library and look inside every single paper they have their with work ads. Domestic help is always needed. Also, contact restos/hotels yourself, just walk in. Talk to your Gemeinde, mention you are looking for ways to take care of yourself, not be dependent on gov help, since they would probably just advise you to go home, tell them you just need to know if what your family are doing is acceptable here. I think your permit is tied to your work, so you need to ask them what it means (hope your family registered you). I don't think they have the right to terminate and give you 3 day notice, unless you endangered the kids or damaged something seriously, the Gemeinde will tell you. Good luck and search the forum, there are more than one thread about similar situ.

__________________
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Post yourself in the Jobs wanted section on this forum, with basic info about you and any background, experience in your field. An ad came up right now for a fulltime nanny in Basel starting in June for example. It's a busy site, and the people here are generally very helpful - word of mouth is a great tool too. maybe someone reads your ad and knows someone not on the forum looking for someone ?

Are you with an Au Pair agency? Because they should be there to help you out, find you a new place and make sure to back you up.

If your contract states how much notice you have, then insist on staying with her until the date in the contract. Legally it would be until at least 30 April 2011.

Now go immediately to the Gemeinde where you live in Zug, and speak to the social welfare people, and ask for their help. They have a duty to look after you in an emergency. Tell them you have nowhere to live, show them your contract, ask them to call your employer, she might back down.

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My goodness, that's disgusting! This forum needs a *slap* button

Sorry to hear about your predicament JW. Sounds like the others have covered the best options for now. All the best in getting the situation cleared up.

Welcome to EF, BTW

Puddy

Don't worry he probably already got his...

Hope you can get something sorted out with help from the Gemeinde. I can understand how communication probs can be tough on parents and on carers, but it does seem rather unfair to give you only 3 days. Have you contacted Work Life Zug in addition to Au Pair agencies for new jobs?

Fingers crossed you can get as far as enjoying the summer here. Was the dismissal on reasonably good grounds? If so, I'd try and get a written reference (in a sort of general 'to whom it may concern') from the family to help show you've got good experience as a starting point for your next job.

It may be that with some gentle remediation, an understanding can be agreed and you can continue, even if only for a short while. Try not to burn your bridges. Good luck, hope it works out.

Aside from the good points already mentioned, in my opinion knowing a bit of the language helps in finding a job -- now that tourism season is starting finding a job shouldn't be a problem (provided the rest works)

It is not fair that you have to leave in 3 days.
You have to go to the Gemeinde and tell them about your situation.
If you are here legally, they should be able to help you somehow.
It depends what you have written in your contract. If you have something mentioned about notice and your host family doesn't stick with it, then that is a big problem and you will have to talk to your host family and stick the contract on their face.

Thank you for your message, princessduck! I would like that info very much! thanks! (I have exceeded my limits for pm's for today, trying to figure out what to do)

Well, hopefully you have Facebook.
You have to join 2 groups:
1. Aupair Coffee&Play Group
2. English Speaking AuPairs in Zurich.

There are 2 ads that you can reply to but of course would be better if you would send private messages to those persons.
One ad- an au pair leaving her family and one ad is one lady searching for an au pair but hopefully she is still searching.
You'd better reply to that au pair today.
Good luck.

JWSetz, how did you get on with your employer? Is she in a better mood today? Afterwards you need to warn off the other AuPairs about her.

Thank you all for your help! Sorry I haven't been answering, was very busy all yesterday trying to work something out. And was out all day today. Princessduck for that info! I looked into it, but nothing came of it.
What is the Gemeinde? is that the Au Pair agency? I have tried to call the agency, but they were closed.
I haven't spoken with her about it today or yesterday. She acts as though nothing happened. But when she does, I will stick firm to the 1-month rule.
Yes, I am here legally, but I believe that if I no longer work for my employer, the visa is no longer valid (however, I can still stay for the 90-days as a tourist). I am thinking about going around to hotels/resorts/restaurants/etc and just asking if they need help, as MusicChick suggested.
I have been to all of the Au Pair websites, and have done as much as I can there. Just waiting....

Gemeinde is the local community office (authorities). They control stuff on a local level, permits, residents and the like.

Google "Gemeinde Zug" and find your local office. They might be able to help you or at least give you the correct info on your position in Switzerland and with your employer.

Take your contract with you and any other official documents you received when starting the job / entered the country. Often they have someone that speaks English.

Hi JW,
I had really similar problem with my "ex" host family, I was also an au-pair.
Now I work as a nanny, without "living in" and I am really happy with my job.
I will send you a PM with my phone number if you would like to talk about it what to do.