A childcare centre in Switzerland has been criticised for offering staff a bonus for not taking any sick leave. The company argued that it was trying to cut down on unnecessary absences which put pressure on existing workers.

Childcare service in Switzerland offers bonuses based on sick leave

In a letter leaked to the media, the Small Foot daycare centre, which operates branches in Lucerne and other parts of central Switzerland, announced that it would be offering a 200-franc bonus for any worker who takes no sick leave throughout the year. This “health bonus” will be supplemented with a 1.600-franc prize, which will be shared among the team which records the fewest sick days.

In the letter, the company argued that the measure would help “strengthen loyal, faithful and conscientious employees.” The change will apply to both full-time employees and new apprentices.

Speaking to 20 Minuten, management member at Small Foot Fabian Haindl said that the idea was “a way of reducing pseudo-illnesses.” He noted that rates of sick leave at the company had risen to the point that up to 30 percent of staff were off sick at one time, piling pressure on staff who were working. Suspiciously, rates of illness peak on Monday and Friday.

Sick leave bonuses pile pressure on employees

Nevertheless, one of the Small Foot employees told the newspaper that the policy stokes fear among staff. "I feel judged by my colleagues if I fall ill. This system pushes us to do everything not to be absent, even if we are not able to work." 

Her thoughts were echoed by the Swiss Trade Union Federation, with spokesperson Benoît Gaillard telling 20 Minuten that “[putting] pressure on people to avoid sick days is short-term because health can then deteriorate further, leading to more absences and costs." In fact, a 2024 study from HES in Bern found that people working while sick cost the Swiss economy 5 billion francs a year through shoddy work and errors.

Public backlash leads to loosening of sick leave rule

Gaillard noted that beyond a hearing in the public court of opinion, not much can be done to stop the practice as it remains legal to offer such bonuses. However, the 1.600 franc prize may prove problematic as it could lead to “unequal treatment between employees.”

In response to the criticism, Haindl acknowledged that the policy does increase pressure on staff. To ease this pressure, he announced that they had adjusted the rule so that the company would still grant the bonus if the employee took two to three days of sick leave. “We want to achieve a reasonable average of short-term sick leave days," he concluded.