My employer doesn't pay my wages — who do I contact?
Unpaid wages are the one dispute where waiting costs you: claims expire. Write to the employer with the amount and a short deadline, then contact Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / Arbeitsamt (seco.admin.ch) — the body that enforces employment law in Switzerland; they can inspect and order payment. A union, Unia — Gewerkschaft (unia.ch), takes the case for members and often for new members too. If the employer is insolvent, Arbeitslosenkasse — Insolvenzentschädigung pays the last months from a guarantee fund. Keep contracts, payslips and hours worked.
🗣️ What to say
"My wages for [month] of €… gross were due on [date] and have not been paid. I request payment within 7 days. If not, I will file with Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / Arbeitsamt and claim interest and costs."
🪜 Step by step
- Put it in writingAmount, period, due date, 7-day deadline. Keep every message about pay.
- Gather proofContract, payslips, bank statements, your own record of hours and days worked, work chat messages.
- Report to Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / ArbeitsamtComplaints are confidential; the inspectorate can visit and fine. It costs nothing.
- Get Unia — Gewerkschaft on your sideUnions know the collective agreement that may set a higher wage than your contract, and they represent you in court.
- Insolvent employer? Arbeitslosenkasse — InsolvenzentschädigungThe wage guarantee fund pays a capped amount of unpaid wages when the company goes bust — apply quickly, deadlines are short.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Can I stop working until I am paid?
In most countries yes, after a written warning, if the arrears are substantial — check with Unia — Gewerkschaft first so it cannot be treated as abandonment.
I worked without a contract
You are still an employee. Messages, hours, colleagues and payments prove the relationship, and the inspectorate can enforce the minimum wage.
How long do I have?
Limitation periods are short — often one to three years, and collective agreements may cut it to months. Act now.
📎 Sources
- Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat / Arbeitsamt →
- Unia — Gewerkschaft →
- Arbeitslosenkasse — Insolvenzentschädigung →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “employer not paying wages Switzerland”
- “labour inspectorate Switzerland”
- “unpaid salary what to do”
- “wage claim court”
- “employer bankrupt wages”
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