Yes. As the employer, your household may end the employment at once, and so may your Helper, but only for a serious reason that makes it unreasonable in good faith to continue it (Art. 337 CO). Without such a reason, the lawful way out is to give notice with the ordinary notice period.
As the household, you are your Helper's employer. This guide covers both sides: when you may end the employment at once, and when your Helper may.
What counts as a serious reason?
A serious reason is any circumstance in which the party ending the employment cannot, in good faith, be expected to continue it (Art. 337 para 2 CO). A court decides each case at its discretion (Art. 337 para 3), and the Federal Supreme Court admits an immediate termination only as an exception. Without a prior warning, it takes a particularly serious breach (BGE 130 III 28, consid. 4.1).
The Canton of Fribourg gives these examples on its official page (Canton of Fribourg):
- Without a prior warning: a criminal act at work, such as theft in your home, or a breach of confidentiality.
- Only after a clear warning that threatens immediate termination, best in writing so it can be proved: ignoring instructions, or taking holiday after you refused it.
A lesser breach justifies an immediate termination only if it happens again after such a warning (BGE 130 III 28, consid. 4.1).
What is never a reason
If your Helper cannot work through no fault of their own, because of illness or an accident, that is never a serious reason (Art. 337 para 3). What they are owed while they cannot work is in our post on sick pay.
Act within days
An immediate termination has to follow quickly once you learn of the reason. The Federal Supreme Court allows only a short time to reflect: two to three working days are presumed appropriate, and longer only in special circumstances (BGE 130 III 28, consid. 4.4).
How to end it at once
The law prescribes no form (Canton of Fribourg). Still, give it in writing, with the date and the statement that the employment ends at once, so that you can prove it. If the other side asks, the reasons must be given in writing (Art. 337 para 1 CO).
Helpore's termination letter covers ordinary notice only. It is not made for an immediate termination.
If the reason does not hold
If a household ends the employment at once without a serious reason, the Helper is owed what they would have earned until the ordinary notice period ended, or until the agreed end of a fixed term (Art. 337c para 1 CO). What they saved because the employment ended, and what they earned elsewhere or deliberately failed to earn, is deducted (Art. 337c para 2). A court may also order the household to pay compensation of up to six months' wages (Art. 337c para 3 CO).
Find the day the ordinary notice would have ended: the calculator gives it for your canton.
Last day of employment
Choose a canton to see the result.
In the print window, choose Save as PDF as the printer.
When your Helper leaves at once
Your Helper may also end the employment at once for a serious reason. The Canton of Fribourg names these examples (Canton of Fribourg):
- the employer's insolvency, if no security is given within a reasonable time (Art. 337a CO);
- sexual assault;
- serious and lasting breaches of the health protection rules.
If the serious reason is one party's breach of contract, that party owes full damages (Art. 337b CO).
If your Helper, without a serious reason, does not start the job or leaves it at once, you may claim a quarter of a monthly wage, plus any further damage. A court may reduce it if your damage is smaller. Unless it is set off, the claim to that share of the wage lapses if you do not bring it by legal action or debt collection within 30 days of the day they failed to start or left (Art. 337d CO).
If you are a Helper, your rights do not end with the job.
The last day
Every claim from the employment falls due on the day it ends (Art. 339 para 1 CO). The post on final pay goes through the holiday still owed and the last payslip. Your Helper may ask for a reference at any time (Art. 330a CO).
Before it comes to this
- A written contract with clear duties shows what was agreed.
- For a lesser breach, a clear warning that threatens immediate termination, best in writing so it can be proved, comes first (BGE 130 III 28, consid. 4.1).
- Without a serious reason, the way out is notice. Our post on giving notice the ordinary way explains it, the notice period calculator gives the dates for your canton, and our study of all cantons compares the periods. During probation the notice period is shorter (Art. 335b CO).
How Helpore fits
With Helpore Flex you search for verified Helpers, compare them and book one off or weekly. Before you book, you see the full price. It includes the Helper's wage, the Swiss employer costs and the Helpore fee of CHF 3.50 per booked hour. A first weekly series with a Helper also carries a one time placement fee, and a payment by card or TWINT carries a card fee. Find a Helper.
If your Helper already works for you, Helpore has two plans. With Helpore Admin Light, the payslips and documents are ready every month, and you register, file and pay yourself. With Helpore Admin, registration, insurance, payroll and payments are done in your name, with one bill a month.
You can book without either plan. Your household stays the employer, and Helpers never pay a fee. Prices for Helpore Admin Light and Helpore Admin are on the pricing page.
“At Helpore, our mission is to simplify the full household employment process and make it affordable for employers to manage, without losing any of the Helpers' rights.”
Gilberto de la Fuente, Helpore
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer terminate me immediately?
Only for a serious reason that makes it unreasonable in good faith to continue the employment (Art. 337 CO). Illness or an accident that is not your fault is never such a reason. Without a serious reason, your employer can only give ordinary notice; after probation, a notice given during the protection period for illness or accident is void (Art. 336c CO).
What counts as a serious reason in a household?
A particularly serious breach, such as a criminal act at work or a breach of confidentiality. A lesser breach, such as ignoring instructions, counts only if it is repeated after a clear warning that threatens immediate termination, best in writing so it can be proved. A court decides case by case.
How quickly must an immediate termination be given?
Within a short time to reflect, once you learn of the reason. The Federal Supreme Court presumes two to three working days to be appropriate, and allows longer only in special circumstances (BGE 130 III 28).
Must it be in writing?
The law prescribes no form. A written and dated termination can be proved, so it is still the safer way. If the other side asks, the reasons must be given in writing (Art. 337 CO).
What happens if the immediate termination was not justified?
Your Helper is owed what they would have earned until the ordinary notice period ended, less what they saved and what they earned elsewhere or deliberately failed to earn. A court may add compensation of up to six months' wages (Art. 337c CO).
What if my Helper leaves without notice?
If they leave at once without a serious reason, you may claim a quarter of a monthly wage plus any further damage. Unless it is set off, the claim to that share of the wage lapses if you do not bring it by legal action or debt collection within 30 days (Art. 337d CO).
Official sources
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 337 (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 337a (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 337b (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 337c (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 337d (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 339 (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 330a (English translation, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Federal Supreme Court, BGE 130 III 28 (French, read 30 Oct 2026)
- Canton of Fribourg, immediate termination (French, read 30 Oct 2026)