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Data and surveys

Since 2006, the surveys of the Swiss HR Barometer have been providing representative data on the work situation of employees in Switzerland. The individual surveys differ in terms of focal point, methodology and sample group; access to the research data is documented as well.

Data access

The fully processed and anonymised data set of the Swiss HR Barometer surveys 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 is available free of charge via the data service SWISSUbase which is powered by FORS (Swiss Foundation for Research in Social Sciences). The data set can be found under the keyword “Swiss Human Relations Barometer” in the database catalogue (Instructions dataset request).

Interested parties can also obtain further information on the survey instruments used as well as documentation of the data collection and data description via the FORS database. The data do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about individual employees or their connection to the employer. In order to safeguard the rights of the study participants, all data will be anonymised in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act.

Data description

The HR Barometer is based on data from employees in Switzerland obtained via representative random samples. The employees of all age groups from 16-65 years represent different educational qualifications, industries, company sizes and employment relationships. Information on the focus topics, the origin of the samples and methods of the individual HR Barometer editions can be seen in the table below.

Edition 2024 – Sense and nonsense at work 

Sample: 2,032 employees (from all Swiss regions), Sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey 

Edition 2022 – Innovation and failure 

Sample: 2,088 employees (from all Swiss regions), Sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2020 – Digitalization and generations 

Sample: 1,995 employees (from all Swiss regions), Sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2018 – Integration and discrimination

Sample: Main sample: 1,947 employees (from all Swiss regions), Additional sample: 1,325 foreign employees, Sample register of the Federal Statistical Office

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2016 – Loyalty and cynicism 

Sample: 1,506 employees (from all Swiss regions), sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2014 – Experience of work and job crafting 

Sample: 1,401 employees (995 from German-speaking Switzerland, 294 from French-speaking Switzerland, 112 from Itailan-speaking Switzerland), sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2012 – Misconduct and courage 

Sample: 1,483 employees (from all Swiss regions), Sample register of the Federal Statistical Office.

Method: Mixed-methods approach: Online and paper survey

Edition 2011 – Uncertainty and trust 

Sample: 1,479 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Internet Panel of the market and social research institute LINK

Method: Online survey

Edition 2010 – Work flexibility and family 

Sample: 1,359 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Market and social research institute LINK, based on registered phone numbers in Switzerland

Method: Telephone survey

Edition 2009 – Mobility and employer attractiveness 

Sample: 1,443 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Market and social research institute LINK, based on registered phone numbers in Switzerland

Method: Telephone survey

Edition 2008 – Wage satisfaction 

Sample: 1,370 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Market and social research institute LINK, based on registered phone numbers in Switzerland

Method: Telephone survey

Edition 2007 – Job (in)security 

Sample: 850 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Market and social research institute LINK, based on registered phone numbers in Switzerland

Method: Telephone survey

Edition 2006 – Career orientations 

Sample: 970 employees (from the German- and French-speaking region), Federal Statistical Office, based on registered phone numbers in Switzerland

Method: Telephone survey