Resignation rules have become strict. If you cannot receive unemployment, another system allows you to benefit from it.
The unemployment compensation system in France has undergone several reforms in recent years, particularly with regard to resignations. However, a little-known device allows you to take advantage of it.
What France Travail says in the event of resignation
Unemployment in France is now managed by France Travail. And compensation job seekers is governed by strict conditions and specific criteria, but also with regard to resignations.
To benefit from unemployment benefits in France, you must respond with several criteria. Since the 2021 reform, you must have worked at least 6 months (130 days) over the last 24 months for those under 53 (36 months for those over 53).
Dismissed workers, whether economic or for good reason real and serious, can claim benefits. On the other hand, resignations, with some exceptions (legitimate resignation such as harassment), do not give right to compensation.
Registration is compulsory and must be see renewed regularly. Compensation depends on the reference salary (the average gross salary over the last 12 months).
In 2024, the amount is calculated as follows. The salary reference daily (SJR) is calculated on the gross salaries received during the work period.
The amount of the allowance therefore varies between 57% and 75% of the gross daily salary. And this, depending on the previous remuneration and the specificities of the employment contract.
The rules have changed
In 2024, workers whose monthly compensation is low can benefit from a guaranteed minimum of around 29.38 euros per day. The duration of compensation depends on the duration of work before the loss of employment.
For those under 53, compensation lasts from 6 to 24 months, depending on the number of days worked. For those aged 53-54, the duration can reach up to 30 months.
And for those aged 55 and over, compensation can last up to 36 months. The 2024 reform continues to adjust the duration according to the needs of the labor market and economic developments.
Once a job seeker returns to work, unemployment benefit is therefore recalculated. If the new activity is partial, unemployment benefit can be supplemented at height of a percentage of the salary earned during the recovery.
Recipients of unemployment benefits also have obligations towards Pôle emploi. It is required to prove that you are actively looking for a job, with supporting documents to be provided to Pôle emploi.
If the job offer is considered reasonable (in distance terms, remuneration, etc.), the beneficiary must accept it under penalty of losing his right to compensation. In 2024, a reform of unemployment insurance aims to encourage a rapid recovery in employment.
Receiving unemployment after resigning is possible
As part of a professional reconversion, it is possible to resign while still receiving unemployment benefits. Thanks to a system called resignation-retraining.
According to a Unédic study published on December 10, this mechanism cost 475 million euros in 2023, representing between 1% and 2% of total unemployment compensation expenditure. However, it concerns less than 1% of 2.2 million employees having voluntarily left their job this year.
The system allows resigning employees to receive unemployment benefits. And this, if they pursue a professional retraining project, under certain conditions.
In addition to the traditional criteria to obtain the Return to Employment Allowance (ARE), resigners must have at least 1,300 days worked. In the five years before the end of their contract.
The reconversion project must be “real and serious”, according to Unédic. Concretely, this means that he must include training, or the creation or takeover of a business.
This project must be developed in collaboration with an advisor in professional development (CEP). And it must be validated by a Transitions Pro association.
Once these criteria are met, the employee has six months to resign, register at FranceTravail and apply for specific unemployment benefit. In December 2023, 25,470 people benefited from this aid, according to the Unédic study.
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