The week before the survey. The Swiss Labour Force Survey, existing since 1991, provides important, internationally comparable information on employment in Switzerland. Every year approximately 16,000 persons chosen at random from the telephone register of the Swiss PTT are interviewed over the phone.
Participation is voluntary.
The results of the sample survey are projected onto the whole population and published. In the 15-minute interviews, questions are asked on profession, professional experience, working times, working conditions, professional training, job seeking, former occupation, reasons for not being economically active and income. Likewise on the division of labour among branches and professional groups. The family environment and topics such as the rent of flats and care of children are taken into account. Data privacy is guaranteed.