FAQ
Questions we hear often.
Clear answers about costs, data protection and how working with us feels day to day.
What does it cost to outsource HR to clever hr?
Standard services have published fees. Payroll costs CHF 250 per month plus CHF 25 to 40 per employee, HR administration CHF 250 per month plus CHF 25 to 55 per employee, each depending on the complexity of your organisation. Book both together and you receive a 7.5% bundle discount. For work priced on request, you receive a written fixed-fee offer after scoping and before work starts.
Do you work with international companies?
Yes. We support foreign companies that run, or are setting up, their own Swiss entity: employer registrations, employment contracts under Swiss law, payroll and the monthly withholding tax filings. We work in English every day and coordinate with your headquarters abroad.
Do we have to change our payroll software to work with you?
No. We continue working in your existing payroll software when its exact product version is currently listed as certified on the official Swissdec list. We check that before electronic filing. If you do not yet have a suitable solution, we select an appropriate product version from the current list with you.
What is swissdec and why does it matter?
Swissdec is the Swiss standard through which salary data is reported electronically, in a single submission, to the AHV compensation offices, insurers, tax authorities and the Federal Statistical Office. The exact product version matters, so we check it against the current official Swissdec list before electronic filing.
Where is our data hosted and how is it protected?
We process payroll and personnel data in Google Workspace. Google data regions depend on the Workspace edition, the covered service and the current Admin configuration. The website itself runs on Cloudflare, a US company certified under the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. Processing follows the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection, and access is limited to the people who need it.
Does AI replace human judgement in your work?
No. AI handles the repetitive work and the groundwork for us, such as the first pass in sourcing or draft documents. Every recommendation and every document is reviewed by a professional. Personnel decisions such as hiring, salary or separation are always taken by people, on your side and on ours.
Are there minimum terms or long notice periods?
Ongoing engagements run for an indefinite period and can be terminated by either side with two months' notice to the end of a calendar month. New clients pay the first three months in advance, after which billing is monthly. The exact conditions are set out in the offer before you sign.
How quickly can we start?
In most cases we are ready within a few days. After a short conversation we agree the scope and take over your data. For new clients, ongoing work begins once the advance payment for the first three months has arrived, as set out in our terms.
What does recruitment cost, and is there a placement commission?
Recruitment costs CHF 175 per hour, with no placement commission. You pay for the work actually done, and the cost stays predictable, which usually works out considerably cheaper than paying a percentage of an annual salary.
What does an external HR department actually do?
We run payroll, social insurance filings, employment contracts, references, joiners and leavers, recruitment and day-to-day advice on Swiss employment law. Every decision stays with you. We take on the ongoing work and bring the specialist knowledge.
Is outsourcing worth it for a company with 20 to 100 employees?
At that size a dedicated HR specialist is often too expensive, while the management team is already stretched. Outsourcing gives you the expertise without the fixed cost of a full-time hire, and it lowers the risk of costly mistakes in salaries and employment law. You pay for what you actually use.
Do you work across the whole of Switzerland?
Yes. We look after companies throughout Switzerland. Everything runs digitally, so your location makes no difference, and we come to you in person when a meeting calls for it.
Which social insurance deductions come off a Swiss salary?
AHV, IV and EO together come to 10.6 per cent, split equally between employer and employee. Unemployment insurance, occupational pension and accident insurance come on top of that. We calculate every deduction correctly and file it for you.
How does clever hr use AI day to day?
We use AI for repeating steps such as screening applications or drafting documents. That makes the work faster and cheaper, while a person checks every decision that matters. Data protection follows Swiss law throughout.
How do you protect our data when you use AI?
Your payroll and personal data never go into public AI tools. We use a protected Google Workspace environment, and processing follows the revised Swiss Data Protection Act. A concrete data region depends on the edition, covered service and current Admin configuration. We use AI only where no sensitive data is involved or the environment is protected.
What is outplacement and when do we need it?
Outplacement is structured support for employees who are leaving your company, typically after a separation or a restructuring. We guide the person into their next career step, which keeps the transition fair and protects your standing as an employer. It costs CHF 3'500 per person for 20 hours of support spread over three months, preparation and follow-up included.
Do we keep control if we outsource our HR?
Yes. All decisions about hiring, salaries and separations remain yours. We prepare, advise and execute, so you keep full oversight and the final say over your people.
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