Part-time work? For her as mother the only correct decision – not an option for him as father. The Markzolls both work, just as in many Swiss households with children. According to a study by Swiss Life, one of the parents’ workload is reduced among 62% of families, normally that of the mother.
Part-time work? For her as mother the only correct decision – not an option for him as father. The Markzolls both work, just as in many Swiss households with children. According to a study by Swiss Life, one of the parents’ workload is reduced among 62% of families, normally that of the mother.
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One person who definitely isn’t among the male part-time fans is Stefan Schnarwiler. While his partner Petra Markzoll works 40% part time and an additional 10% in a side job, the father is wholeheartedly committed to his full-time occupation. Reduced working hours? That’s out of the question for him. Although his job in road building is hard work in the summer and he is hardly able to spend any time with his family, he enjoys his work. He enjoys the evenings, weekends and free time with partner Petra and their children Cody and Jonah in the autumn and winter months all the more.
On the other hand, Petra Markzoll wishes to work part time due to her children. She continued working longer hours for a while – for fear of losing her job. But those times are now over. The mother of two now makes demands of her job as a self-determined part-time employee – and it works well. Self-determination for her means doing what is good for her without a guilty conscience. For a long time this fell by the wayside, but her partner Stefan supports her wherever he can. Among other things with risk insurance, thanks to which Petra Markzoll would receive a widow’s pension if the worst came to the worst even though the couple is not married.
Many unmarried couples do not realise that they bear higher risks than married couples. Swiss Life supports them and helps them find the right pension solution.
Series
Families in the part-time model
Working part-time is popular here in Switzerland: more than a third of Swiss employees have consciously chosen not to work full time – mostly because they want to spend time raising their children, taking care of family obligations or pursuing education and training. In our series, young families offer a look at their lives working part time and tell us what the greatest challenges are.
The Markzoll family
The Markzoll family lives in Ballwil in the Canton of Lucerne. Parents Petra Markzoll and Stefan Schnarwiler are unmarried and have two children: Cody, four, and Jonah, five. Petra Markzoll works 40% as a sales assistant at a motorbike centre and an additional 10% as a store detective. Her partner Stefan is employed full time as a road builder. His full-time working hours are important for him – as is good risk protection.
Are you planning on part-time work as well?
Part-time calculator
Would you like to work part time as well? Find out quickly and easily what impact this would have on your budget and on childcare.
What needs to be borne in mind?
Although working fewer hours means more quality time with your family, it also means fewer social benefits if you are unable to work due to illness or an accident. You should therefore consider your provisions situation in a self-determined manner as a family – so nothing stands in the way of a carefree future.
