Administrative and tax law

No customs officer at the post to declare VAT On my return from a weekend of shopping in Paris, I zero-rated my purchases at French customs. When I arrived at Swiss customs, where I wanted to pay VAT, I was surprised to find that they were closed. After searching in vain for a guard...

Don't you have the right to quit your job? I didn't get on so well with my boss that I ended up slamming the door on my job. The unemployment fund informed me that I would have to pay a penalty. I think that's unfair when we're required to pay insurance every month against this kind of...

Terms and conditions of RHT in COVID-19 time "The Geneva Employment Office has just informed me of its decision to grant my company compensation for reduced working hours. I am surprised to learn, however, that my application is considered late because it was made after 31 March 2020 and that, as a result, my company has been...

Demonstrations: the rules "I'm a member of an environmental association. To get our message across to the public, I'd like to suggest to our committee that we organise a march. But I'm wondering what kind of authorisation you need to demonstrate in the streets of Geneva. Can you tell me what I need to know? Jacques,...

Day mums " We're looking for a day mum for our little girl. Recently, I was strongly recommended to someone who is not approved. I'm going to meet her. What does she risk if she's reported?" Tania, Geneva Under the Federal Council's Ordinance regulating the placement of children for maintenance purposes and with a view...

Law on administrative procedure The question you raise relates to what Swiss law calls the principle of promptness. First enshrined in Article 29 of our Federal Constitution, this principle guarantees everyone the right to an administrative or judicial decision within a reasonable time. In Geneva, the principle of promptness is...

Liquid authorised in accompanied baggage "On departure from the French sector of the airport, a hand baggage inspector confiscated a 100 ml cream prescribed by my doctor. Ignoring my explanations, she demanded that I send this precious liquid as checked baggage on the grounds that only medicines to be consumed...

Santa's elves sweat at work The end of the year is a time of intense stress in my workplace. Added to this pressure is another worry for me: the colleague who works right next to me (in the 'open space' where we prepare the presents, which, it should be pointed out, are made of...

Are the makers of the Swiss back? I was surprised to read in my Tribune de Genève this week that there is apparently a "Handbook on nationality" that sets out criteria for refusing entry to Switzerland to people who have committed traffic offences: what exactly are these criteria? P, Vaud The...