The federal holiday on August 1st is the only nationwide public holiday that has to be paid by law. It is not allowed to work on this day and the lost working hours needn’t to be compensated by the employee.
According to labour law, this day is equal to Sundays. Cantons are allowed to equate a maximum of eight more public holidays with Sundays.
On public holidays no employees can be employed. The lost working hours needn’t be compensated.
Domestic employees who are paid on a monthly basis receive their full salary for the lost working hours owing to a public holiday. Unless otherwise stated in the contact of employment, to domestic employees who are paid on an hourly basis only August 1st has to be disbursed.