According to Art. 337 para. 1 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO), both the employer and the employee may terminate an existing employment relationship with immediate effect for good cause. In practice, however, it is usually employees who are affected by summary dismissal; therefore, the following discussion focuses on their perspective. A good cause within the meaning of Art. 337 para. 1 CO is defined in para. 2 as any circumstance that makes it unreasonable for the terminating party to continue the employment relationship in good faith. Whether such a good cause exists is determined by the competent court at its discretion pursuant to Art. 337 para. 3 CO, whereby an employee’s unintentional incapacity to work may under no circumstances be recognised as a valid reason.