Can Swiss Employers Demand Debt Proof from Jobseekers? What the Law Says

Some Swiss jobseekers have reported being asked to provide an extract from the debt enforcement office during the recruitment process, even for roles such as locomotive drivers. But is this practice legal?

According to Swiss labour law specialist David Raedler, employers may only request a debt certificate for positions involving financial responsibility—like accountants, bankers, or insurance professionals. For other jobs, the demand may violate data protection rules.

Swiss media highlighted cases where candidates were required to prove no defaulted payments, sparking debate. One jobseeker commented, ‘I would have understood this request for a croupier in a casino, but for many others it doesn’t make sense.’

The Federal Data Protection and Information Office states that employers may only ask for information directly relevant to the job requirements. Systematically demanding debt records unrelated to the position is considered ‘going too far.’ However, criminal record extracts are more commonly required for all jobs.

Article and image source: thelocal.ch