Employees
Our most important resource
Our employees are our most important asset. They drive change and get us to where we want to go. We treat them as equals, give them responsibility and focus on fair working conditions, equal opportunities, social security and personal development. We support educational measures both for guests and for our employees. We give particular consideration to appropriate and fair wages, social security, fair employment models, the integration and inclusion of employees, and an appreciative, meaningful working environment.
Zug Youth Hostel
Number of employees /
full-time equivalents
Number of employees
No Data Found
Number of employees
No Data Found
Number of full-time positions
No Data Found
Number of full-time positions
No Data Found
In 2025, the number of employees in both the hostels and in the administration increased slightly. However, the number of full-time positions remained virtually the same.
Wage policy
The wage system for management employees comprises fixed and variable salary components. While the fixed wage components are specified at appropriate levels according to uniform standards, the variable components derive from the achievement of individual objectives as well as the degree of budget adherence.
Youth hostel employees are subject to the National Collective Labour Agreement (L-GAV). Administrative staff are paid according to the guidelines of the respective professional associations.
Following the principle of equal pay for men and women, the Swiss Youth Hostels pay all sexes according to the same terms/rates.
From 1 January 2024, all employees of the Swiss Youth Hostels (except apprentices and interns) have been paid a minimum wage of CHF 4,000 per month and CHF 21.22 per hour. The Swiss Youth Hostels have thus defined a minimum wage limit that is above the L-GAV minimum wage rate in Category 1a.
Diversity
The Swiss Youth Hostels embrace and actively promote diversity within the organisation. The team is made up of employees from a total of 53 different countries. The proportion of women was 58% in 2025, compared to 57% in management. This diversity enriches both the working culture and the guest experience in the youth hostels. Another important aspect is the promotion of young talent: 16% of employees are 26 years of age or younger. Young team members bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas while gaining valuable professional experience in a dynamic environment. Diversity in terms of gender, age, origin and experience forms a key basis for the vibrant and inclusive organisational culture of the Swiss Youth Hostels and contributes significantly to their success.
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Number of nations | 55 | 55 | 53 |
Share of young employees up to and including 26 years old in % | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Share of women
No Data Found
Share of women
No Data Found
Total in %
Management in %
Length of service
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Average length of service in years | 3.4 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
Share of employees with seniority | in % | in % | in % |
|---|---|---|---|
under 5 years | 80.4 | 80.4 | 79.8 |
5–9 years | 9.5 | 8.9 | 9.7 |
10–14 years | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.2 |
15–19 years | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.9 |
20–24 years | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
25–29 years | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
over 29 years | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Average length of service in years | 3.1 | 3.2 |
Share of employees with seniority | in % | in % |
|---|---|---|
under 5 years | 80.4 | 79.8 |
5–9 years | 8.9 | 9.7 |
10–14 years | 5.9 | 5.2 |
15–19 years | 2.3 | 2.9 |
20–24 years | 1.6 | 1.6 |
25–29 years | 0.5 | 0.5 |
over 29 years | 0.4 | 0.4 |
In 2025, 31 employees celebrated a milestone service anniversary. The Swiss Youth Hostels appreciate the high level of loyalty of their employees and are proud that in the reporting year, 5.4% of all employees had worked for the organisation for more than 15 years, 0.9% of them for more than 25 years.
Basic and advanced training
Advanced training represents a key element in our efforts to boost quality for our guests and employees. The offer as well as the number of participants increased significantly in the reporting year.
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Advanced training courses offered | 28 | 27 | 48 |
Number of participants | 324 | 321 | 491 |
Number of apprentices and trainees | 7 | 10 | 11 |
Number of persons in external basic/advanced training | 3 | 14 | 26 |
2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Advanced training courses offered | 27 | 48 |
Number of participants | 321 | 491 |
Number of apprentices and trainees | 10 | 11 |
Number of persons in external basic/advanced training | 14 | 26 |
Special services
Every year, employees, voluntary members of the Executive Board and delegates receive accommodation coupons allowing free usage of the youth hostels operated by the Swiss Youth Hostels. In the reporting year, benefits amounting to CHF 362,878 (prior year CHF 261,480) were thus obtained.
Employees have the opportunity to take part in Hostelling International’s Connect programme. As part of this programme, employees can spend a week visiting an association from the Hostelling International network in Europe. The exchange offers fascinating insights into the working methods of other youth hostels and can provide valuable impetus for own activities at the Swiss Youth Hostels. Two employees took part in this programme and visited youth hostels in Slovenia and Norway.
Case management and social counselling
Accidents and illnesses experienced by employees are handled in a professional manner by external business partners and all necessary measures are taken to ensure the reintegration of affected employees. An external social counselling service is also available free of charge to all employees for personal, health-related, financial, legal or administrative matters.
Pension fund
Since 1 January 2021, the Swiss Youth Hostels have been affiliated as Vorsorgewerk Schweizer Jugendherbergen (Swiss Youth Hostels Employee Benefits Unit) with the Columna Collective Foundation Client Invest.
The Staff Pension Fund Commission was composed of three employee representatives and three employer representatives:
Employee representatives: Schnyder Tom, Adamer Andrea, Zollinger Markus
Employer representatives: Bunte Janine, Dobler René, Walter Laura (President)
As of 1 April 2026
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Retirement assets in CHF | 20,967,135 | 24,326,820 | 25,926,024 |
Available funds in CHF | 1,493,581 | 2,582,610 | 3,108,988 |
Cover ratio in % | 122.11 | 125.75 | 127.41 |
Active insured persons | 420 | 436 | 438 |
Pensioners | 50 | 57 | 56 |
2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
Retirement assets in CHF | 24,326,820 | 25,926,024 |
Available funds in CHF | 2,582,610 | 3,108,988 |
Cover ratio in % | 125.75 | 127.41 |
Active insured persons | 436 | 438 |
Pensioners | 57 | 56 |
The Swiss Youth Hostels have set the coordination deduction in the 2nd pillar (OPA) at CHF 0. This decision specifically promotes the retirement provision of part-time employees, as the full salary is included in the calculation of pension fund contributions. As a result, these employees benefit from a higher pension benefit, which strengthens their long-term financial security.
In 2025, retirement assets earned interest at 6.0% (prior year 3.25%). At the end of December, the funding ratio was 127.41%.
Persons performing civil service
Persons performing civil service
Civil service is a service for men and women able to serve in the military who choose not to perform military service on conscientious grounds. These individuals can perform assignments in the social sector, in nature park projects or in charitable organisations. The Swiss Youth Hostels also offer opportunities for persons performing civil service.
In 2025, a total of 150 persons performing civil service (prior year 170) completed 5,932 service days (prior year 6,265) at the Swiss Youth Hostels.
