Benefits
At the ZHAW, you are valued as a person. We support your personal development and at the same time create the conditions for an attractive working environment – regardless of what stage of life you are in.
As an attractive employer, we offer a comprehensive package of additional benefits that goes far beyond the industry standard.
Discover all the benefits in detail below and find out how the ZHAW supports you as an employee in a holistic way – today and in the future.
Enjoy a wide range of benefits
Salary and additional benefits
The ZHAW uses a position-oriented salary system: each position is assigned to a salary class within the framework of the law (employment act and employment ordinance of the Canton of Zurich). Your salary is determined upon appointment based on your profile and is placed at an appropriate salary level within the assigned salary class. The cantonal government also determines an annual cost-of-living adjustment, which is paid from the following year onwards. The thirteenth month’s salary is paid in December.
As a ZHAW employee, you are insured with the civil service insurance fund of the Canton of Zurich (BVK). BVK savings contributions are funded at a rate of 60% by the ZHAW and 40% by employees. BVK offers employee-friendly benefits that exceed the statutory minimum. Here you can find the admission conditions of the BVK. The retirement age is 65, but early retirement can be taken from the age of 60.
As recognition of your service and loyalty to the ZHAW, you will receive:
15 working days of paid leave upon completion of 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 45 and 50 years of service.
22 working days of paid leave upon completion of 25 years of service and 30 working days of paid leave upon completion of 40 years of service.
You may choose to receive all or part of your award as a cash payment instead.
As a ZHAW employee, you can benefit from attractive special rates with Sunrise and Swisscom. Sunrise also offers attractive conditions for your family.
The CampusCard gives you access to discounts in restaurants, on magazine subscriptions, at pharmacies, on gym memberships and much more.
Working models and family
Your working hours at the ZHAW are calculated on an annual basis. This allows you to adjust your working hours according to your workload throughout the year and enjoy greater flexibility.
The ZHAW promotes part-time employment, including in leadership positions. Where possible, we accommodate individual circumstances through job-sharing and shared leadership arrangements.
Subject to agreement with your line manager and provided that your work is not location-dependent, you may work remotely for part of your working time. For greater flexibility and mobility, employees can also use workspaces at all ZHAW locations.
All ZHAW staff are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of holiday per year. Annual holiday entitlement depends on age:
Up to and including 20 years of age: 27 days
21 years of age and above: 25 days
50 years of age and above: 27 days
60 years of age and above: 32 days
Depending on the circumstances and subject to the approval of your line manager, employees may take up to twelve months of unpaid leave for personal projects, travel or caregiving responsibilities.
Regardless of their length of service, female employees are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave with full pay following the birth of a child.
Fathers and co-mothers are entitled to ten days of statutory paternity leave following the birth of their child. In addition, fathers and co-mothers are entitled to up to one month of unpaid leave during the child’s first year of life.
The ZHAW supports employees in balancing work and family responsibilities. We pay income-based financial contributions towards the cost of third-party childcare and, in cooperation with the pop e poppa daycare centre network, offer a flexible and professional childcare solution. You can have your children looked after by the hour and at short notice at any of the daycare centres included in the network.
Continuing education and development
We support both internal and external training and offer a wide range of practical training courses. You will receive a 20% discount on all Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS), Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) and continuing education courses offered as part of ZHAW’s general programme. We also offer discounted language courses and free access to online courses for your professional development.
Employees taking on new leadership roles are offered the opportunity to take part in a ZHAW-wide leadership development training programme. The programme takes place annually and an application must be submitted to participate.
For employee groups where a CAS in Higher and Professional Education is compulsory (lecturers and professors), we cover 100% of the continuing education costs, unless extensive prior teaching experience is recognised as an equivalent qualification.
Health and well-being
The Academic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ) offers a wide range of sporting activities at all ZHAW locations. You can enjoy a total of over 120 sports, modern facilities at all sports centres as well as expert support and guidance.
Working life can involve a wide range of expectations and complex situations. In critical moments, the ZHAW counselling centres are on hand to offer support. Their services include conflict counselling, psychological counselling and coaching, as well as advice in cases of suspected bullying, discrimination, sexual and sexist harassment, and threats and violence. They provide prompt and straightforward assistance and support you throughout the problem-solving process. All counselling and coaching services are confidential and free of charge.
In the event of an extended absence due to illness or accident, we provide support through our operational case management programme. The objective is to promote individual well-being and rapid reintegration into the workplace.
Mobility and housing
In Winterthur, ZHAW bicycles are available free of charge for travel between buildings.
As a practical complement to public transport, company vehicles are available for business trips.
When public transport is not a suitable option, Mobility vehicles are available and can be easily booked.
If you relocate from abroad, we will help arrange centrally located accommodation in Winterthur, where possible. The flats are modern and functionally furnished, and the minimum rental period is two weeks.
Infrastructure
The ZHAW’s ergonomic workplace assessment service helps you to avoid fatigue and physical ailments, and improve your well-being. Individual advice is offered by specialist units at the ZHAW’s Schools.
Our modern University Library, with various locations, offers an extensive range of specialist literature, media resources and learning opportunities, both on site and digitally. You can get advice in connection with any questions you may have pertaining to research and the procurement of media. Further services include open access publication, OER consulting, research training and advice as well as media use. Attractive workspaces are available for you in the libraries at all ZHAW locations.