With many companies under increasing pressure to reduce their costs, budgets for staff entertainment and training are two areas that frequently come under scrutiny. Team building courses and staff night outs are amongst the first items to be axed from departmental budgets.
Bi-lingual, social and cultural networking organization, Le Café Vivant, has come up with an innovative idea to enable companies to develop the communication skills of their employees, in an amusing and entertaining way that is sure to be classed one of the “best night outs” on the company!
Their new Murder Mystery evenings, have been designed to enable work colleagues meet and mingle with their counterparts, at a special event that is full of mystery and intrigue. Le Café Vivant’s Murder Mystery evenings usually involve between 14 to 120 participants, typically with a male to female ratio of 70 to 30. Two weeks before the event, each guest will receive a personalized invitation that includes details of their character, with suggestions on how to dress and what accessories to include.
Local international school, Institut International de Lancy, is hosting the first in what is hoped to be a series of Careers Conventions for young English-speaking people in the region.
Specifically targeting students aged between 15 and 18 years, attending international schools in the Geneva area, this new career fair will take place on Tuesday, 11th October from 6pm onwards, and will provide a valuable insight into the many different career choices available to youngsters nowadays, including the opportunities they offer and possible entry routes.
Professionals from industry and academia will play a key role at the event, giving presentations on a wide range of career options, discussing their own career paths and passing on invaluable sources of information. They will also be available for individual and group discussion to answer specific questions or needs.
The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce has launched a new award scheme, the aim of which is to recognise the achievements of companies who have made an outstanding contribution towards bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Switzerland. Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Private Banking, the new Business Awards will offer individuals and companies the recognition they deserve for achievements in the workplace.
The British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) was founded in 1920 and is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting its 750-plus Members and promoting business relations between Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the UK. The Chamber provides an ideal network and platform for business people to meet one another and develop business contacts.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Geneva Chapter of the BSCC is one of the main business organisations for the Anglophone/ international community in this region. Chairman, Michael McKay, told knowitall.ch that there are many reasons for entering the competition, beyond winning one of the prestigious awards.
In collaboration with Busnet, a new section has been added to the knowitall.ch site highlighting networking organizations throughout the Lake Geneva region.
For the moment we have included some of the most well-known groups in the region but we will add to the section over the coming months.
Networking is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal when it comes to expanding your range of business contacts and/or looking for a job. It enables you to meet some of the most influential people in your field, usually within an informal and relaxed environment.
As a native Vaudoise, educated, working and living in Aubonne, Nils Piguet understands only too well the issues that many face when trying to come to terms with the Swiss tax system, especially as it applies to Vaud.
With a federal system of government, Swiss taxes can get quite complicated, with taxes being levied at three different levels: federal, cantonal and local. Given that many knowitall.ch clients live in the canton of Vaud, we asked Nils to clarify some of the basic issues to us. He explains:
When you arrive in Switzerland, you will be subject to taxation on all your income and personal assets from the day you take up residence until the day you leave the country permanently. To avoid double taxation, Switzerland has bilateral tax agreements with more than 60 countries (including all OECD countries).
Depending on your situation, your taxes will either be withheld from your salary or you will pay them on the basis of a tax return.
Withholding
In Vaud Canton, if you have an L or B permit, your employer will deduct federal, cantonal and local taxes directly from your salary each month in accordance with a special scale covering all three categories. In this situation, you will not have to file a tax return.
Tax return
Your taxes will not be withheld – meaning that you will have to file a normal tax return – if you are or become:
• a C permit holder
• a Swiss national
• married to a Swiss national or a C permit holder
• the owner of real estate in Switzerland
• self-employed
If you have an L or B permit and earn more than CHF 120,000 a year, your taxes will continue to be withheld but you will also have to file a tax return. The amount of taxes withheld will then be offset against the actual amount due...
