Because of an increase in unemployment since mid-March 2020, the number of occupational types subject to mandatory reporting to unemployment offices in the year 2021 has increased.

All occupational types that were already subject to mandatory reporting in 2020 will remain subject to mandatory reporting in 2021. Other occupational types have been added to the list.

The sole criterion that determines whether an occupation needs to be registered is an unemployment rate of at least 5% in the occupation type in question.

Also, if you are entirely new to the topic, we propose reading the most frequently-asked questions that have emerged in this context.

The list of reportable occupations with the corresponding job titles specifies which occupations are reportable from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The updated list (which is only available in German) is published here. Further information regarding this topic may also be found on www.arbeit.swiss.

The Check-Up 2021 is based on the new list and defines the reporting obligation as of 1 January 2021. Please find the link to the Check-Up tool here.

All the occupation types that had to be registered in 2020 will continue to be subject to the registration requirement in 2021 and the following occupations will be added to the list from 2021:
 

• Sales and marketing executives
• Technical sales professionals (excluding information and communication technology), engineering
• Sales specialists (field sales representative, sales specialist)
• Conference and event planners
• Kitchen chefs, deputy kitchen chefs and sous chefs
• Cooks
• Chefs de service, service assistants in restaurants and bartenders
• Cleaning and housekeeping managers and staff in offices, hotels and other facilities
• Security service personnel
• Roofers
• Floor and tile layers
• welders and flame cutters
• Metal polishers, cylindrical grinders and tool sharpeners
• Watchmakers
• Motor vehicle drivers (excluding truck drivers)
• Construction machinery operators
• Unskilled workers in the fishing industry

The check of a possible obligation to register based on the job title gives you a first indication. However, in case of doubt, we recommend approaching the competent authority or KPMG for a final check.

E.g. in the canton of Zurich, the job notification center will perform a final check based on the specific requirements and activities to determine whether or not your job is subject to the notification requirement.

The list of occupation types that have to be registered is updated in the fourth quarter of every year and applies from 1 January to 31 December of the subsequent year. Considering the COVID-19 implications, it seems likely that further occupations will be added to the list in the fourth quarter of 2021 with effect as of January 2022.

KPMG will stay on top of the topic and will provide further updates once any new information is available.