Recruitment in Switzerland: update on mandatory job posting requirements for 2022

On 29 November 2021, Swiss authorities approved the new list of occupations affected by the obligation of posting for 2022. New job types will therefore be subject to mandatory registration.

Consequence of the initiative against mass immigration

Jobs falling under the scope of the mandatory registration requirement are those with an unemployment rate higher that meets or exceeds the 5%. The rates are calculated for the whole of Switzerland on the basis of a twelve-month average occupation.

The list of all occupations that need to be registered is updated on a yearly basis (during Q4) and applies from 1 January to 31 December of the subsequent year.

New jobs subject to mandatory registration in 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to increase the unemployment rate in 2021. Consequently, the occupations list in 2021 was already broader compared to 2020. This trend seems to continue as the number of occupation types that meet or exceed the 5% threshold for 2022 is slightly higher than for 2021.

All the occupation types that had to be registered in 2021 will continue to be subject to the registration in 2022. As of 2022, open positions for marketing and advertising specialists, graphic and multimedia designers or even travel agency consultants, will also need to be posted. The exhaustive list of concerned occupations can be found online in French and in German.

Note: labour market authorities will review proper execution of the posting in case of a work permit application for a foreigner is filed. In case of non-posting of a job subject to mandatory registration, such application would be rejected

What does it mean for Swiss employers in 2022?

It might sound surprising for employers that the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) announces favourable labour market forecasts for the months to come, while at the same time extending the list of occupations subject to registration in 2022.

In any case, it is strongly recommended that all Swiss employers carefully follow the evolution of the list on a yearly basis. This will be particularly useful to prevent business disruption.

The registration of the open positions with the RAV/ORP can be seen as an advantage. Concretely, employers benefit from additional pools of candidates from the public unemployment agencies, which will increase chances to find most suitable candidates.

Summary

On 1 January 2022, a new list of occupation types subject to mandatory registration comes into force. Compared to 2021, the number of occupations affected by this legal obligation is slightly higher despite a favourable labour market forecasts announced by the SECO for the upcoming month.

New job types are affected such as positions for marketing, advertising specialists, graphic and multimedia designers or even travel agency consultants.

Employers should observe changes in the list carefully and take advantage of the fact that posting of the open positions at the RAC/ORP is a public free service and allows to reach more candidates.

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