Background Check in Switzerland

What Are the Benefits of Background Checks in Switzerland?

An employee background check is necessary to ensure that the candidate's education and work experience details are correct and do not hinder the working process. 

Thorough employee screenings in Switzerland are necessary as:

• Comprehensive employee background screening is required by law in specific sectors. Proper background checks in Switzerland are essential as most companies will be looking to hire talent for sensitive industries like finance and biotechnology.
• Discretion and data protection are important for companies hiring candidates from Switzerland. And the reputation of Swiss talent in this regard is unmatched. An international background check in Switzerland ensures your hiring candidate has a spotless record.
• Malicious candidates gaining a backdoor into intellectual property can cause serious legal troubles for global businesses. This can also adversely affect your reputation, often a critical asset in these industries. You can also face the consequences of violating international sanctions. A pre-emptive background screening in Switzerland can easily avoid this.
• Your employees using the intellectual property of past employers can seriously harm your reputation and result in hefty fines. For example, copyright infringement in Switzerland carries a fine of up to CHF 1,080,000 with the additional possibility of up to five years of a custodial sentence. You may have to pay damages.

What Are the Types of Background Checks in Switzerland?

International employee background screening in Switzerland can be of the following types:

Criminal record check 

Criminal background checks in Switzerland can be conducted according to a new law on criminal records that came into force on 23rd January 2023. 

It introduced a new criminal records information system called VOSTRA, allowing for standard private and notable excerpts. 

The standard excerpt contains information about convictions for felonies or misdemeanors committed as adults unless such convictions are spent. 

The applicant can obtain this for CHF 17, and it can be sent directly to the verification agency.

A particular excerpt contains judgments imposing a ban on the exercise of a profession, a ban on certain activities from being undertaken, a ban on contact, or a ban on the individual visiting specific locations insofar as such a ban has been issued for the protection of minors, other persons requiring special protection, or patients in a healthcare setting. 

The employer needs confirmation before placing an order for the particular excerpt.

Employment history check

Employment background checks in Switzerland are permitted with the applicant’s consent as long as the information sought is related to the job. 

You also need to comply with Swiss data protection laws.

The Data Protection Act requires the employer to disclose all countries where personal data may be transferred. 

This applies to data transfers to other corporate group companies and third parties. Employees are also entitled to a copy of the data possessed by the employer.

Medical screening 

Medical background checks in Switzerland are required for certain job positions in Switzerland, but the specific requirements vary depending on the job and industry. 

They are only allowed to the extent justified by the work involved. The same holds for drug screenings. 

Credit history check

Credit history checks in Switzerland are generally not permitted unless the position justifies credit background verification. 

Credit checks are commonly conducted if the employee is in a position of trust, such as senior leadership or banking roles.

Credit reports in Switzerland can be obtained from two government mandated credit bureaus - the ZEK (German: Zentralstelle für Kreditinformation, French: centrale d’information de credit) and the IKO (German: Informationsstelle für Konsumkredit, French: centre de renseignements sur le crédit à la consummation). 

They only record active loans and do not provide a credit score.

Education history 

For an education background check in Switzerland, you can contact the schools and universities the applicant has listed on their resume. 

You can verify educational qualifications from the concerned departments or ask the candidate to submit official transcripts.

Social media check

Screening social media accounts as part of a background check in Switzerland is not permitted. 

However, you can review publicly available information, including professional accounts like LinkedIn.

Swiss data protection laws are primarily based on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

Compliance with GDPR is strongly encouraged for firms dealing with Swiss citizens.

Requirements for Background Check in Switzerland

While the exact requirement will vary depending on the role, some standard requirements for background checks in Switzerland are:

• Copies of Swiss identity card or passport
• Standard or special excerpt for criminal background check
• Details of relevant educational qualifications
• Details of previous employers and relevant references
• Consent is required to carry out all necessary background checks, whether by the employer or a third party.

Steps in Conducting Background Checks in Switzerland

To conduct employee screening in Switzerland, you must follow these steps:

Step 1: Obtain Consent

Before starting employee screening in Switzerland, ensure that you have written consent for every background verification process about to be conducted. 

You should also inform the candidate who will access the information and how the information will be handled. Also, make sure that you do not violate any data protection laws.

Step 2: Collect Information

You can then ask the candidate to provide all the relevant information, including identity proof, educational qualifications, employment history, and any other information necessary to conduct employee screening in Switzerland and ensure proper fitness for the job.

Step 3: Verify Information

Once you have all the required information and consent, you can contact relevant people or departments to verify the authenticity of the information provided. 

Once this information has been verified, you can proceed with the hiring process.

Are Employee Background Checks Legal in Switzerland? 

Background checks in Switzerland are legal as long as employers comply with Swiss data protection laws.

Conducting a proper background check helps you establish compliance and foster a healthy work environment. 

Also, employers cannot discriminate against applicants on the basis of protected characteristics like race, age, or sexual orientation during the background check process.

Planning to Hire in Switzerland? Skuad Can Help

Hiring in Switzerland can be an excellent opportunity to access top-notch talent. 

With Skuad, you can now embrace the potential of global growth without hesitation. Skuad empowers you to venture worldwide confidently, backed by our comprehensive support and expertise.

Our platform has global employment and payroll capabilities, ensuring seamless hiring and operations in over 160 countries — all without worrying about compliance with local laws and norms!

Skuad also performs background checks for your employees if your partner up with our EOR platform.

Moreover, with Skuad, you can swiftly gain access to new markets. Forget the lengthy legal intricacies; Skuad simplifies your market entry, enabling you to establish a significant presence without the associated hassles.

Get seamless access to global talent today with Skuad!

FAQs

Q1: Are background checks legal in Switzerland?

Ans: Yes, background checks are legal in Switzerland, subject to specific regulations and restrictions.

Q2: What is an employer screening in Switzerland?

Ans: An employer screening in Switzerland is a process of verifying the details provided by a candidate. This can include educational qualifications, work history, and any criminal records they might have.

Q3: Does Switzerland have background checks?

Ans: Yes, Switzerland has background checks. Comprehensive background checks are standard, especially in finance, banking, pharmaceuticals, precision manufacturing, and biotechnology sectors.

Q4: What are the rights of employees in Switzerland?

Ans: Employees in Switzerland have their rights protected by the Labor Law, which regulates standard work hours, employee health protection, and leave policies. The Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) protects employees' data, setting norms for lawful and secure data handling.