Summary

The Swiss Federal Council approved amendments to the Civil Service Ordinance (ZDV) on 19 June 2026. A new, modularly structured training concept for civil service personnel will be introduced. Fees paid by employing organizations will increase by 7.5 percent per service day. Activities in information technology, human resources, communication, marketing, and gastronomy will be excluded in the future. Occupational safety regulations will be tightened. Most changes take effect on 1 January 2027; the training concept follows in 2028.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collective body)

Topics

  • Civil service
  • Labor market policy
  • Ordinance reform
  • Occupational safety

Clarus Lead

The reforms signal a reorientation of Swiss civil service policy under pressure: While voters decided on a legislative amendment on 14 June 2026, the Federal Council is simultaneously implementing ordinance adjustments to maintain labor market neutrality and reduce abuse risks. The 7.5 percent fee increase follows nominal wage growth from 2016 to 2024 – a technical but politically sensitive step. Decisive: Five economic sectors will henceforth be closed off, concentrating civil service work more strongly on public-interest activities.

Detailed Summary

The new training concept replaces the previous system with a modular structure explicitly oriented toward the needs of employing organizations. This is intended to increase the effectiveness of civil service work by better accounting for the diversity of activity areas. Starting in 2028, efficiency gains will be possible – courses can be conducted more cost-effectively provided the number of service days performed remains stable. A WTO procurement procedure is required, which is why the training provisions do not take effect until 2028.

The 7.5 percent fee increase is based on a technical adjustment: The nominal wage index rose by this amount between 2016 and 2024. This increase is intended to prevent employing organizations from gaining a competitive advantage over profit-oriented enterprises through lower fees. In parallel, five economic sectors – information technology, human resources, communication, marketing, and gastronomy – will be excluded to maintain labor market neutrality more strictly. An exception applies only if the Federal Office calls up civil service personnel ex officio who have not organized their service independently.

Additionally, the Federal Office for Civil Service can more easily revoke recognition decisions for employing organizations with fewer than an average of 26 service days per year. Regulations on occupational safety and health protection will be clarified and in some cases tightened to reduce serious accidents and illnesses. The ZiviConnect data processing system will be expanded to better respect data protection principles.

Key Statements

  • Modular training concept starting in 2028 is intended to make civil service work more efficient and targeted
  • Fee increase of 7.5 percent follows nominal wage development 2016–2024
  • Five economic sectors (IT, HR, marketing, communication, gastronomy) will be excluded
  • Stricter occupational safety regulations and simplified revocation procedures for small employing organizations

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What empirical data shows that the modular training concept actually increases the effectiveness of civil service work? Are there pilot projects or comparative studies?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How was the 7.5 percent fee increase coordinated with employing organizations? Which interest groups filed objections or expressed support?

  3. Causality: Why are exactly these five sectors (IT, HR, marketing, communication, gastronomy) excluded? What data demonstrates that these sectors are particularly susceptible to labor market distortions?

  4. Feasibility: How is the WTO procurement procedure for course providers concretely implemented? What costs are incurred for organizations and the federal government?

  5. Side Effects: Could the closure of five sectors lead to a concentration of civil service personnel in less attractive sectors and thus increase dropout rates?

  6. Monitoring: How will compliance with the new occupational safety regulations be supervised? What sanctions apply in case of violations?

  7. Timing: Why are ordinance amendments passed in parallel with the ZDG vote of 14 June 2026? Is there a substantive or political connection?

Source List

Primary Source: [Federal Council: Results and Federal Council Response – Civil Service Ordinance] – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/b3zEPTpNYHZZlPHuE4o4F

Verification Status: ✓ 19.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 19.06.2026