Know your work basics
Overview
Reference letters, notice and what job loss means.
The question you never knew to ask“What happens to my notice and my permit if I am ill or made redundant?”
Why it matters
Reference letters matter when you look for your next job. Losing a job raises questions about insurance and, for some permits, residence. Ask early.
Does this apply to me?
Your circumstances: Canton Bern, B permit, mixed nationalities, family with children, moving with a partner, arriving soon
Because Maya works in Switzerland.
When?
Once you work in Switzerland.
What do I need?
Nothing to prepare beyond your own notes.
What do I do next?
- Ask for an interim reference letter when your role changes.
- Check your notice period and what applies if you are off sick: your contract first, then the official pages.
- Read what to do if you lose your job, and register quickly.
Official guidance
Read official guidance from the Swiss authorities' joint information site (federal, cantonal and communal):
ch.ch: reference letters from your employerRead official guidance from the Swiss authorities' joint information site (federal, cantonal and communal):
ch.ch: unemploymentRead official guidance from the Swiss authorities' joint information site (federal, cantonal and communal):
ch.ch: accident insurance