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, first check whether the action is lawful.
If everything is correct, proceed immediately to the following procedure.
Where do we go from here?
Register your unemployment with the RAV in the first few days after you have received the notice of termination for employment.
The RAV advises you and supports 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 if you:
- are fully 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 a qualifying loss of work (at least 2 consecutive working days).
- willing and able to take on 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 benefits may be temporarily suspended if:
- You resign of your own accord without having a new job in prospect.
- if the employer has dismissed you for a serious misdemeanor.
Payment
The unemployment Arbeitslosenkasse is responsible for the payment of unemployment benefits. They will check whether you are entitled to unemployment benefit and pay you the benefits you are entitled to on a monthly basis.
The RAV informs you about the various Arbeitslosenkassen (=ALK). You are free to choose one of them: Contact list ALK
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 your 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 work without delay if it is reasonable.
Your rights and obligations
People from the EU can stay in Switzerland for 6 months and look for a new job. Apply for a permit for this 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 benefit from unemployment benefits
- do not settle the withholding tax
Undeclared work is illegal in Switzerland.
Make a report
Do you have any indication that someone is doing or granting undeclared work? Or do you know someone who is abusively applying 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 may have consequences:
- Delay in payment of unemployment benefits
- Withdrawal of benefits
- Complaint
Misused benefits must be repaid.
Make a report
Do you have any indication that someone is doing or granting undeclared work? Or do you know someone who is abusively applying for unemployment benefits? Report this here - this is also possible anonymously.
Do you need help and support?
Contact points
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