It's a classic scenario: You started a new job full of anticipation, but after just a few weeks you realize – it's simply not a good fit. The working atmosphere is toxic, the tasks don't match the job description, or the boss is a nightmare. During the probation period, a resignation is quickly declared, often with a notice period of just seven days.
But beware: If you resign yourself, you end up in the crosshairs of the unemployment fund (ALK) and the RAV.
In this article, we take a close look at what happens when you resign yourself during the probation period, why the RAV is so strict, and how best to protect yourself to avoid financial losses in the form of suspension days.
The principle of "self-inflicted unemployment"
The Swiss Unemployment Insurance Act (AVIG) shows no mercy here: Unemployment insurance only pays out without restrictions if you have become unemployed "through no fault of your own". If you resign yourself – whether during the probation period or afterwards – you are generally considered "self-inflicted unemployed" at first.
The logic behind it: You could have kept your job, but you chose to leave of your own free will. Therefore, the unemployment fund examines every case of self-resignation closely. The risk? Suspension days. These are days on which you receive no daily allowances. Depending on the "severity of the fault," this can range from 1 to 60 suspension days. This can quickly tear a hole of several thousand francs in your budget.
Exceptions: When can I resign without a penalty?
There are exceptions where a self-resignation is recognized as "unreasonable" and you do not suffer any suspension days. However, the hurdles for this are relatively high. The fund usually only accepts a resignation without a follow-up solution (i.e. without a new job in sight) if remaining at the workplace could objectively not be expected of you.
These include, for example:
- Health reasons: The job demonstrably makes you sick (e.g. bullying, burnout, physical strain). A medical certificate is strictly required here, which must be issued before the resignation and explicitly states that continuing the job is unreasonable for health reasons.
- Unpaid wages: The employer repeatedly fails to pay wages or pays them late.
- Safety deficiencies: The workplace poses a serious, unresolved hazard to your health.
- Unreasonable changes: The employer suddenly demands things from you that were not contractually agreed upon and cannot reasonably be expected of you.
3 tips when things get rocky during the probation period
Before throwing in the towel out of frustration, you should act strategically.
- Have a conversation (and document it!): Address the issues openly. Perhaps the problem can be solved. If not, at least you have proven that you made an effort to find a solution. Take notes on these conversations.
- Provoke termination by the employer? (Caution!): Some try to get the employer to give notice. This can also be dangerous. If the employer terminates your contract due to your own fault (e.g., refusal to work, constant tardiness), the unemployment fund will also examine suspension days. However, if you are let go because "it just wasn't a good fit" or you couldn't deliver the required performance despite trying, you are usually on the safe side.
- Find a new job first, then resign: This is always the safest route. As long as you look for a new job while still employed, you won't face any problems with the RAV.
How PARAT can help you
If you decide to cut the probation period short or if you are terminated, you must act quickly. From the moment of resignation (or receiving notice), the RAV immediately requires job search efforts again.
With PARAT, you have full control over your job application management. You can clearly track your applications, export the official SECO form as a ZIP file at the end of the month with one click, and send it to your RAV advisor. This saves you valuable time and ensures you don't risk any further suspension days due to insufficient job search efforts. In addition, our AI resume generator helps you quickly get your CV back into shape so you can get back on track fast.
The conclusion on resigning during the probation period
Although the probation period is intended precisely to see if employer and employee are a good match, the RAV does not differentiate between a probation period and permanent employment when it comes to the principle of "self-inflicted unemployment". So never resign lightly and without a new job unless you have compelling (and ideally medically certified) reasons to do so.
