Bonuses and Recognition

Loyalty Bonuses

Loyalty bonuses reward long-term service within an institution affiliated with the Swiss Confederation (excluding Swiss Post and SBB).

EPFL staff members are therefore entitled to these bonuses, in accordance with Article 45 (in French) of the ETH Board Ordinance on Personnel in the Domain of the Federal Institutes of Technology.

Timelines

• At the end of the 10th year of service
• Then every additional 5 years

Possible Forms

• Additional Vacation Days
  • Half a month of vacation after 10 and 15 years of service
  • One full month of vacation after 20 years and every additional 5 years
• Salary Bonus
  • Half a month’s salary after 10 and 15 years of service
  • One full month’s salary after 20 years and every additional 5 years
• A combination of both

Conditions

• Permanent contract (CDI)
• Calculation based on employment rate and annual salary at the time of eligibility
• Social contributions are deducted from the amount (except for the Publica pension fund)

Use of Loyalty Days

• Same rules as regular vacation days

Special Bonuses

EPFL recognizes the exceptional contributions of its employees by awarding special bonuses. This measure is intended to acknowledge outstanding performance or commitment that goes beyond the expectations of the position.

Eligibility

• Employees with at least 12 months of service
• Administrative, technical, scientific staff, as well as PhD students and postdocs

Exclusions: Professors, interns, apprentices, temporary staff, and individuals leaving EPFL in September of the current year.

Criteria

• The bonus rewards an exceptional contribution that exceeds the expectations of the position.
• Bonuses may be awarded for a maximum of two consecutive years.
• The bonus cycle covers the period from early October of the previous year to the end of September of the current year.

Recommended Amounts

• PhD assistants: CHF 1,000 – 1,500
• Postdocs: CHF 2,000 – 2,500
• Administrative/technical/IT staff: CHF 2,000 – 2,500
• Managers (grade >10): CHF 2,000 – 5,000

For employment rates ≤ 50%, the amounts are halved.

Group Bonuses

A group bonus may also be awarded for an exceptional team contribution (e.g., a project). The total amount will be distributed fairly among team members.

An individual request is required for each member.

Procedure

• Requests must be initiated by supervisors via SESAME (tile “Grant bonuses”) before August 31.
• Validation by the hierarchy (VP/AVP/Deans and HR managers) takes place in September.
• Notification is sent to the responsible person, then to the recipient, before the October salary payment.
• A user guide is available in the Unit Manager’s Toolbox (Intranet).

Extraordinary Salary Increase (AES)

An extraordinary salary increase may be considered instead of a bonus when exceptional performance is sustained over time. It allows for a lasting adjustment of compensation in recognition of continued commitment.

The request must be justified and submitted within the given deadlines using the form available in the Documents and Forms section on the Intranet (under “Salaries”).