What Is the Job Registration Obligation?

Since July 2018, Switzerland has implemented what is known as the Job Registration Requirement / Job Registration obligation (Stellenmeldepflicht). Employers are required to report vacancies in occupations with an above-average unemployment rate to the Regional Employment Center (RAV) before advertising them publicly. The aim is to give job seekers in Switzerland an early advantage in the application process. This obligation is based on the unemployment rate of a specific occupation. If the rate reaches 5% or higher, that occupation becomes subject to the registration requirement for the following year. The updated list of affected occupations is published each November on arbeit.swiss.

In practice this means: before publicly advertising a position in a regulated occupation, the vacancy must be exclusively reported to the RAV and withheld from public view for a five-working-day waiting period. During this period, job seekers registered with the RAV are granted preferential access to the opportunity.

Key Rules at a Glance

• Mandatory Registration: Vacancies must be reported to the RAV prior to public posting.
• Waiting Period: A five-working-day publication ban applies to positions subject to registration requirement.
• Candidate Proposals: The RAV submits suitable candidate profiles within three days.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Fines of up to CHF 40,000 may be imposed for violations.

Objective of the Job Registration Requirement

The policy ensures that individuals registered with the RAV are informed first about openings in high-unemployment occupations, giving them a head start in the application process. It also enables the RAV to proactively recommend qualified candidates to employers. Ultimately, the aim is to better leverage domestic workforce potential — known as the "Swiss nationals first" principle.  

Which Occupations Are Affected?

The requirement applies to occupations with a national average unemployment rate of over 5%. To account for seasonal fluctuations, this figure is calculated based on the 12-month average across Switzerland for each occupation.

Common Practical Questions

Does the obligation apply to internal job postings?

No. It only applies to public job advertisements. Internal hires or direct appointments after apprenticeship completion are exempt.

What if I forget to report a vacancy?

Unintentional non-compliance can still result in hefty fines. It may also damage your company’s compliance reputation.

How do I know if a vacancy is subject to the registration requirement?

Applicant tracking systems like Refline can help: they automatically identify regulated vacancies and display waiting periods directly within the tool. You can also use the Check-Up tool on arbeit.swiss.  

Reporting Efficiently with Refline

With its “Job registration / AVAM” module, Refline provides seamless support for compliance:

• Automatic identification of regulated vacancies
• Direct integration with Job-Room & RAV
• Automatic calculation and display of waiting periods
• Scheduled publication to job boards after the waiting period ends
• Direct transfer of candidate profiles to the applicant tracking system
• Audit-ready, GDPR-compliant data tracking

Bottom Line: Comply With Purpose, Strengthen Your Reputation

The job registration requirement/ job registration ogligation is more than just a checkbox — it’s a commitment to Switzerland’s domestic labor market. Companies that treat it seriously demonstrate social responsibility and compliance maturity. With smart tools like Refline, the process becomes efficient, automated, and crystal clear.