Family and Career

In compliance with its Gender Policy Code of Conduct, the University of Zurich undertakes to provide employment conditions that promote the compatibility of work and family for women and men.
Gender Policy Code of Conduct
Family at UZH

Employees are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. Mothers may also request subsequent unpaid leave provided the business circumstances make this feasible.

Employees who become fathers from 1 January 2021 onwards are entitled to two weeks’ paid paternity leave. Paid leave may be taken all at once or on a day-by-day basis within six months of a child’s birth. In addition, new fathers are entitled to one month of unpaid leave in the first year of the child’s life provided the business circumstances make this feasible.

The Foundation for Childcare in the Zurich University Area (kihz) offers a broad and flexible range of childcare options close to University premises.
UZH and ETH Zurich Foundation for Childcare

Parents are entitled to take time off to care for sick preschool and school-age children. Such absences, however, may not exceed five working days per period of illness.