Switzerland – Equality

2 National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-23

2.1 Pillar 1: state duty to protect

 

2.1.3 The State-business nexus

Guiding Principles 4 to 5

Measure 11: Human rights due diligence by public-private development partnerships

As laid down in the Code of Conduct for Contractual Partners of the FDFA [Federal Department of Foreign Affairs], respect for human rights and gender equality are two of the values which should be promoted in the interests of Switzerland. All individuals, companies or other entities that work with the FDFA are required to contribute to the promotion of these values and to act in accordance with them, and with the legal order.

 

2.2 Pillar 2: the corporate responsibility to respect human rights

a number of Swiss companies …play an active part in eliminating all forms of professional and employment discrimination.

 

2.2.2 Operational principles: human rights due diligence

Guiding Principles 16 to 21

Measure 28: Promotion of gender equality

The Federal Council recognises the importance of addressing the disproportionate impact that business activities can have on women and girls.

The private sector is fundamental to advancing gender equality and women’s rights. In December 2018, parliament passed an amendment to the Gender Equality Act49 which adds pay equity to companies’ mandatory due diligence obligations. The revised legislation also requires public and private sector employers with at least 100 employees to conduct regular equal pay analyses. This new requirement will take effect on 1 July 2020. An independent body reviews the findings and the employer must inform the workforce of its conclusions. Companies which are found to have an equal pay policy are exempt from further assessment. The new provisions, which will take effect on 1 July 2020 for a period of 12 years, will be evaluated nine years after they come into force.

The federal government provides a free equal pay self-test tool, Logib, which allows companies with fewer than 50 employees to check for instances of wage inequality in their workforce.

Objective	Indicator	Responsibility
Achieve equal pay for men and women.	Number of companies using the Logib tool. Example of a public sector employer publishing detailed findings from its equal pay analysis as well as the conclusions of the independent auditor. Example of a listed company publishing detailed results of its equal pay analysis in their annual report.	FOGE [Federal Office for Gender Equality ]