Unemployment
Have you been fired from your job? Will your employment be terminated?
You and your employer both have the right to terminate the employment contract.
If you have been dismissed, then first check whether the procedure is legal.
If everything is correct, proceed immediately to the following procedure.
Working Life and Unemployment - Explanatory Video by ch.ch
What happens now?
Report your unemployment to the RAV in the first few days after you have received the notice of termination for the employment relationship.
The RAV will advise you and support you in your search for a new job. The staff there will work with you to ensure that you find a suitable job again as quickly as possible.
Register immediately, even during the notice period. You will then be invited to a personal consultation.
Register with the RAV immediately
In a regular employment relationship, every employee is compulsorily insured against unemployment.
You will receive unemployment benefits new window if you:
- are wholly or partially unemployed.
- live in Switzerland, have completed compulsory schooling and have not yet reached AHV retirement age.
- have worked for at least 12 months in the last 2 years.
- are exempt from the obligation to pay contributions for a legal reason.
- have suffered creditable loss of work (at least 2 consecutive working days).
- willing and able to take a reasonable job
- comply with the control regulations, e.g. participation in the measures ordered by the RAV .
Important to know:
The right to unemployment compensation may be temporarily suspended if:
- They quit of their own accord without having a new job in prospect.
- if your employer has dismissed you for a serious offence.
Payout
The Arbeitslosenkasse is responsible for the payment of unemployment injury. They will check whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits and pay you the benefits to which you are entitled every month.
The RAV informs you about the various Arbeitslosenkassen (=ALK). You can choose one of them: Contact list ALK new window
Contact form: Cantonal Unemployment Insurance Fund St.Gallen new window
Attention: Self-employed persons are not insured!
Start looking for a new job right away. Start the search even if you are still working in the current job.
If you have not looked for a new job during the notice period, you will not receive unemployment benefits for a certain period of time.
Keep the relevant documents such as: cover letters, job offers, rejection letters, etc. You must present these documents to your advisor at the RAV .
As a matter of principle, accept any job immediately if it is reasonable.
Your rights and obligations
Persons from the EU can stay in Switzerland for 6 months and look for a new job. Apply for a permit at the St.Gallen Migration Office.
You must always inform the authorities when you are working. Your employer is also obliged to register you as an employee. You are working illegally if you:
- do not pay social security contributions (AHV, IV, ALV, etc.)
- do not have a work permit
- do not report wages and turnover to taxes
- abusively benefiting from unemployment benefits
- do not settle withholding tax
Undeclared work is illegal in Switzerland.
Make a report
Do you have an indication that someone is doing or granting illegal work? Or do you know someone who improperly applies for unemployment benefits? Report this here - this is also possible anonymously.
At the end of each month, you must submit all the required documents to the Arbeitslosenkasse .
Untrue or incomplete information can have consequences:
- Delay in the payment of unemployment benefits
- Withdrawal of benefits
- Criminal complaint
Misused benefits must be repaid.
Make a report
Do you have an indication that someone is doing or granting illegal work? Or do you know someone who improperly applies for unemployment benefits? Report this here - this is also possible anonymously.
Contact points
Enter your postcode so that we can show you your nearest contact point.