The short answer
An employee who works for you for at least 8 hours per week is also covered for non-occupational accidents under your accident insurance (UVG/LAA). Below that threshold, only occupational accidents remain covered, with special treatment for commuting accidents. Identify the correct policy, report the accident and manage the absence as a case in its own right.
Check who is covered
According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), non-occupational accident cover requires at least 8 hours of work per week for the same employer. Hours worked for several employers are not added together for this threshold. Below it, occupational accidents remain insured and the Accident Insurance Ordinance (UVV/OLAA) provides that commuting accidents are then treated as occupational accidents.
For irregular working hours, do not draw conclusions from a single week: ask your accident insurer to confirm the position on the basis of the relevant period.
Report the facts without deciding the legal classification
Report the accident with the facts: date, place, activity and first medical consultation. Do not decide yourself whether it constitutes an accident in the legal sense; that is for the insurer to assess. If there is any doubt, flag it rather than delaying notification.
Monitor the absence and payroll
Keep a timeline: first day of absence, degree of incapacity and partial returns to work. Reconcile benefits received with salaries paid, period by period. Also plan how work will be organised during the absence, without asking the employee for medical details.
Coordinate the contacts involved
Having a single HR contact responsible for the case avoids contradictory messages. This person centralises certificates, communications with the insurer and the return to work. Where several employers are involved, have the responsible insurer identified using the dates worked and the cover for each job. For a non-occupational accident, UVV/OLAA designates the insurer of the employer for whom the person last worked while benefiting from non-occupational accident cover. Centralise the information needed for coordination.
Frequently asked questions
My employee works 6 hours per week and is injured while skiing: are they covered by our UVG/LAA insurance?
Below the threshold of 8 hours with the same employer, the company's UVG/LAA insurance does not cover non-occupational accidents. The person must be covered by their health insurance or another arrangement; check their exact situation with the insurer.
Is an accident while commuting a non-occupational accident?
For people who work at least eight hours per week for the same employer, it falls under non-occupational accident cover. Below that threshold, UVV/OLAA provides for treatment as an occupational accident; have the specific case confirmed.
Should a minor accident with no time off work be reported?
Yes, notifying the insurer is still useful, particularly for treatment costs and in the event of later complications. Follow the procedures in your policy.