Do stranded travelers have to take additional vacation days?

The Iran war is disrupting the holiday plans of many travelers. Thousands of tourists – including Swiss travelers – are stranded due to canceled flights and cannot return home as planned. For many, the question therefore arises: Do they have to use additional vacation days if they are stuck abroad due to the escalation in the Middle East?

From an employment law perspective, the situation in Switzerland is clear – and not necessarily favorable for those affected. Anyone who doesn't return to work on time after their vacation is «out of luck» under employment law, Roger Rudolph, Professor of Employment Law at the University of Zurich, told SRF . «The risk of returning to work on time is my own responsibility,» Rudolph said.

Specifically, this means that those who have to stay abroad longer due to canceled flights are in many cases not entitled to continued payment of wages for the additional days of absence. Those affected must take additional vacation days, unpaid leave, or find another solution with their employer.

Exception for business trips

However, there is one important exception: business trips. If someone is traveling on behalf of their employer and cannot return due to flight cancellations, the risk lies with the company. In this case, those affected generally do not have to use vacation days.

In practice, many companies are trying to find pragmatic solutions. Employee organizations are calling on employers to be flexible. The Swiss Employees' Union, for example, recommends exploring options such as working from home, special leave, or flexible working hours.

For stranded travelers, this means that there is usually no legal entitlement to additional days off. However, with some cooperation on both sides, the situation can often be resolved – provided that the employer is informed early and contact is maintained.