Laid off after planning unpaid leave for a 2-month Asia trip — what are my options with RAV?

1

Hi everyone,

I had arranged a 2-month unpaid leave (Feb–Mar 2026) with my employer to travel in Asia, and I’ve already booked flights, hotels, etc.
Unfortunately, I’ve just been laid off and will be on garden leave until January 31 (they shut down the entire swiss department).

Now I’m unsure what to do with the RAV.

What are my options?

  • Do I have to inform the RAV that I’ll be out of Switzerland for 2 months?

  • Or should I register normally and only mention the trip after I return?

  • What are the risks if I go ahead with the trip as planned?

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You should register sooner rather than later, and have to look for a new job starting the moment you get fired.

Every 3 months you get 1 week off. I’m pretty sure you have to mention this 2 months trip and you probably won’t get any money during that time (you wouldn’t have with unpaid leave anyway), as you can’t do in-person interviews while away, and you need to be available to do that. You’ll also have in-person meetings at RAV once a month or so.

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Sorry to hear this, Mr_IT. I hope this leads to better opportunities for you.
I’ve been in a similar situation, and I agree with the advice to register with the RAV as soon as possible. In my opinion, it’s best to be upfront with them so they can give you proper guidance. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether you go or not.

Once you register, there might be a “cooling down” period (about 6 days, if my memory serves me right) before your benefits start after your garden leave. I’m not sure whether everyone is eligible for benefits, but I believe you are if you’ve worked at least 12 months in the past two years.

You’ll also have limited days off going forward, and you’ll need to inform the RAV of any planned holidays in advance. During your trip, you likely won’t be eligible for benefits, as you’ll need to be available for job interviews and in-person meetings with the RAV. They used to send invitation by mail with short notice.

As for the risks, I believe not responding to these summons could result in a suspension or reduction of your benefits.

Best of luck with everything, and I hope you find a new opportunity soon!

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