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Swiss work certificate template
At the end of employment, and whenever the employee asks, the employer issues a work certificate (art. 330a CO). The template above follows the usual Swiss structure: personal details, duration and position, tasks, performance, conduct and closing wishes. Fill in the parts in brackets, sign and hand it over.
- Position, tasks, performance and conduct in the usual order
- Ready-made text in English, German, French and Italian
- Swiss format, envelope window on the left or right
- Free PDF, no sign-up, data stays in your browser
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Template text
This is the text already in the letter above. You can also copy it from here.
Work certificate
Before you send it
- True, complete and benevolent: the reader must be able to rely on it, and the employee must not be held back without reason.
- No coded wording and no omissions suggesting a judgement different from the one written.
- State the reason for leaving only if the employee wishes.
- Signed by an authorised person, usually the manager or management, with place and date.
More letter templates
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- Confirmation of employment
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- Request for quotation
Ask one or more suppliers for prices, lead times and terms in the same format.
- Contract cancellation letter
For insurance, subscriptions and services: cancel for the next date and ask for confirmation.
- Health insurance cancellation
Basic insurance as of 31 December, also for the family, and supplementary insurance if needed.
- Tenancy termination letter
For tenants: notice to terminate the lease with notice period, date and both spouses' signatures.
How to write a work certificate in three steps
- 1
Fill in the parts in brackets
The template is already in the letter above: replace the parts in [ ] with dates, amounts and names, and delete what does not apply.
- 2
Sender and recipient
You enter your details once and they stay for your next letters. The recipient goes in the envelope window.
- 3
Download, sign, send
Download the PDF, sign it and send it, by registered mail when the date of receipt matters.
Your data stays yours
The letter is created in your browser. The page sends no data to any server, not even to Lema: its security policy (CSP) prevents it. With the Data button you can download a backup of all tools, load it on another computer or delete everything.
Frequently asked questions
Is a work certificate compulsory? +
Yes: employees can ask for it at any time, during and after employment, and the employer must issue it (art. 330a CO).
What must it contain? +
The nature and duration of the employment, position and tasks, an assessment of performance and conduct. It must be true, complete and benevolent: the reader must get an accurate picture of the person.
Can the reason for leaving be stated? +
As a rule only if the employee wishes. And no coded wording: a certificate is written clearly.
Work certificate or confirmation of employment? +
The certificate assesses performance and conduct; the confirmation of employment states only the nature and duration of employment and is issued if the employee expressly asks for it (art. 330a(2) CO).
Indicative template, provided as is: it is not legal advice. The certificate must be adapted to the person and the employment.