Business · Economy · 12 hrs ago
Two Swiss workers say extra responsibilities have brought little or no extra pay
Two Swiss workers say their pay has barely changed despite taking on more responsibility.
Mike, a road builder, earns 5,910 francs a month, just 400 francs more than in 2019.
He sometimes leads construction sites and has covered for supervisors, but says his employers cited missing qualifications when he asked for a raise.
Laboratory worker Paul has had no raise or inflation adjustment for two years and earns 5,519 francs gross for a 90-percent position.
He says his team has shrunk while its workload has stayed much the same, leaving him frustrated and less motivated.
Rising living costs make stagnant pay harder to manage, and Paul says he has had to cut back on leisure and cannot afford a car.
Paul is looking for a new job, while Mike says he does not plan to change employers because he is settled in his region and doubts conditions elsewhere would be much better.
Two Swiss workers say they have taken on more responsibility without receiving meaningful pay increases.
Road builder Mike earns 400 Swiss francs more per month than he did in 2019, despite taking on additional duties.
Laboratory worker Paul says he has had no pay rise or inflation adjustment for two years.
Paul says his workload has increased as his team has shrunk, and he is looking for a new job.
- Who
- Mike, a 30-year-old road builder, and Paul, a 32-year-old laboratory worker.
- What
- They say their extra responsibilities have brought little or no extra pay.
- When
- The article was published on 20 October 2026. Mike’s pay figures compare 2019 with today; Paul says he has had no increase for two years.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Their pay has not kept pace with the additional responsibilities they describe. Paul also says his team has been reduced.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mike began working as a full-time road builder, earning 5,510 Swiss francs gross per month.
Mike began occasionally taking charge of construction sites.
Mike says he repeatedly covered for supervisors during their holidays.
Paul says he has received neither a pay rise nor an inflation adjustment.
- Mike’s current monthly gross pay
- 5,910 Swiss francs
- Mike’s pay increase since 2019
- 400 Swiss francs
- Mike’s additional duties
- Occasionally led construction sites since 2021 and covered for supervisors during the past year
- Paul’s monthly gross pay
- 5,519 Swiss francs at a 90% workload, paid 13 times a year
- Paul’s pay increases
- None for two years
What people are saying
Yes, but not paid.
I go to work reluctantly.
My motivation has practically completely disappeared because I feel that my performance and additional responsibility are neither appreciated nor paid.