Personnel policy

The premise of a personnel policy based on a pioneering strategy also applies in the case of the Federal Administration. In addition, employee surveys and regular reporting play a key role in the Confederation's personnel policy.

Brief summary

The Federal Council's personnel policy must satisfy many requirements: digitalisation, demographic developments and social trends are rapidly changing the world of work, and competition among employers has intensified. The Confederation is also expected to be an exemplary employer and to manage public finances prudently.

Personalstrategie

In its personnel strategy, the Federal Council defines the direction in which the Federal Administration's human resources should develop for each legislative period. The Federal Administration personnel strategy 2024-2027 focuses on demographic change in the digital working environment and defines objectives and measures in the following areas:

Recruiting and retaining employees
Ensuring the next generation and highlighting prospects
Maintaining and transferring knowledge
Promoting innovation and making use of digitalisation

In addition to these key areas, the traditional personnel policy topics of attractive working conditions, personnel development, diversity, work-life balance, health and basic vocational training, for example, will continue to be pursued.

Employee surveys and reporting

The Federal Administration's personnel management is regularly reviewed to determine whether it is on the right track to achieve its strategic objectives. This is done using two instruments: first, federal employees are regularly surveyed about their work situation. Second, annual reporting provides information on whether the targets set for federal employees are being met. This includes, for example, gender and language distribution, recruitment and staff turnover statistics, and employees' health. This monitoring shows where there is a need for action and to what extent personnel policy measures are having an impact.

Supervisory function for companies affiliated with the Confederation

The Federal Council also partially influences the personnel policy of companies under private law that are controlled by the Confederation in terms of capital and voting rights (companies affiliated with the Confederation). For these companies, it issues principles on management salaries and balanced gender and linguistic representation in the top management bodies. The Federal Council reports annually to the Finance Delegation on compliance with the principles.

Management of personnel resources

The Confederation spends around CHF 6.1 billion a year on federal personnel. The Federal Office of Personnel (FOPER) ensures that this expenditure is channelled nationwide in accordance with the relevant processes. The FOPER also prepares the personnel budget and accounts. It is accountable to the Federal Council and Parliament regarding the use of financial resources.

Social partnership and parliamentary procedural requests

The Federal Council does not determine the Federal Administration's personnel policy on its own: as part of an active social partnership, it involves employees via staff associations. Important personnel policy matters and salary measures are discussed through ongoing dialogue.

Members of Parliament also regularly influence personnel policy through parliamentary procedural requests. The Federal Council reports to Parliament on developments in personnel policy in its annual report (see above).

Changes in personnel law

Various laws and ordinances regulate the employment relationship as well as the rights and duties of federal employees in their day-to-day work. The basis for this is the Federal Personnel Act (FPA). In addition to Federal Administration employees, employees of Parliamentary Services, federal courts and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are also subject to this law.

Recruitment

It is essential for the Federal Administration to find, recruit and retain the best-suited employees for its varied and demanding tasks and services. As an employer, the Federal Administration is in close competition with the private sector, cantonal authorities and organisations. In order to gain a competitive edge, the Federal Administration endeavours to position itself clearly as an employer. It recruits the desired target groups using targeted measures on suitable channels and organises the recruitment process in a customer-friendly manner.