Interim earnings
Can you be unemployed and still working? Yes, that is possible! - If you have accepted a job, and the income you receive is lower than your unemployment compensation. The income so earned is referred to as interim earnings. The difference between the income earned and insured earnings is made up with a compensatory payment.
What are the advantages?
- You remain integrated in the labour market, you don’t lose the daily rhythm of work, and no gaps in your CV occur.
- Experience shows us that it is better and easier to apply if you already have some form of employment.
- You acquire new references and make new contacts.
- Additional employment certificates are very helpful when looking for a job in the same way as a well-established network of connections.
- You improve your income.
- Even small interim earnings are worthwhile.
- You use up your available daily allowance less quickly.
- You acquire new contribution periods unless you are performing an independent interim activity.
You must accept any reasonable interim employment. Even if you obtain interim earnings, you must continue to seek permanent employment.
Typical calculation of interim earnings
Example with entitlement to
| without interim earnings | with interim earnings | ||
| Insured earnings | Fr. 5,000 | Insured earnings | Fr. 5,000 |
| - Income from interim earnings | Fr. 3,000 | ||
| = loss of income | Fr. 2,000 | ||
| Unemployment compensation for insured earnings | 70% | Unemployment compensation for loss of earnings | 70% |
| = compensatory payment | Fr. 1'400 | ||
| Income from interim earnings | Fr. 3,000 | ||
| + compensatory payment | Fr. 1,400 | ||
| = Income without interim earnings | Fr. 3,500 | = Income with interim earnings | Fr. 4,400 |
| without interim earnings | with interim earnings | ||
| Insured earnings | Fr. 5,000 | Insured earnings | Fr. 5,000 |
| - Income from interim earnings | Fr. 3,000 | ||
| = loss of income | Fr. 2,000 | ||
| Unemployment compensation for insured earnings | 80% | Unemployment compensation for loss of earnings | 80% |
| = compensatory payment | Fr. 1,600 | ||
| Income from interim earnings | Fr. 3,000 | ||
| + compensatory payment | Fr. 1,600 | ||
| = Income without interim earnings | Fr. 4,000 | = Income with interim earnings | Fr. 4,600 |
After 12 months:
Compensatory payments are normally possible for a maximum of 12 months. If you have dependent children and/or are over 45, payments will continue even after 12 months. Otherwise you will receive only the difference between your income from interim earnings and your unemployment insurance (= loss of income) will be paid out to you.
There are special regulations for occupations paid for by the hour, particularly in connection with the holiday compensation. In this case apply to the competent person at the unemployment fund at the very beginning of your interim earnings.