Anyone registered with the RAV is subject to the same health risks as anyone else. But what happens if you fall ill? Reporting an illness to the RAV is subject to strict requirements. If you do not comply with them, you risk losing your unemployment daily allowances.
In this article, you will learn what to keep in mind when reporting sick during unemployment and what obligations exist.
When and How Must the Sick Notification Be Made?
As soon as you are unable to work, you must inform the RAV immediately. This means: at the latest on the first day of illness. You can usually do this by phone or email with your personal RAV advisor.
From the fourth day of illness, a medical certificate is strictly required. This must be submitted to your unemployment fund (ALK) at the latest by the end of the deadline. In some cantons or with specific prior history, the RAV may even require a doctor's certificate from the very first day.
Illness and Unemployment Daily Allowance
If you are certified sick, the unemployment insurance (ALV) continues to pay your daily allowance for a maximum of 30 consecutive calendar days (so-called daily allowances for temporary lack of employability). In total, entitlement is capped at 44 daily allowances per benefit period.
If the illness lasts longer, daily sickness benefit insurance steps in in many cases—provided you have taken one out. Mandatory health insurance (basic insurance) does not cover loss of income. Here, it pays to check your insurance coverage before or immediately upon becoming unemployed.
The Obligation to Apply for Jobs During Illness
A common misconception: "I am sick, so I don't have to apply for jobs." That is not generally true.
If you are only sick for a short time (e.g., the flu for 5 days), the RAV usually expects you to still show your full required number of job search efforts at the end of the month. Only in the event of longer absences due to illness is the quota reduced or suspended in consultation with your advisor.
Transparent communication is key here. Discuss with your advisor how many applications are realistic for the current month.
Keep Track with PARAT
Documentation requirements at the RAV are high—and when you're sick in bed, the last thing you want to do is hassle with Excel spreadsheets. With PARAT RAV-Tracking, you can efficiently track and structure your job efforts and export them at the end of the month as a clean ZIP archive for the Job-Room portal with a single click.
This leaves your mind free to focus on recovery without falling behind on your proof of job search activities.
Conclusion
Illness does not exempt you from obligations—at least not completely. Those who know the rules regarding sick leave notifications and medical certificates at the RAV and communicate transparently will avoid sanctions in the form of penalty days. Health comes first, but administrative duties must still be taken care of alongside recovery.
