Between a need for a change of scenery, new opportunities for working conditions, burnout, lack of recognition or more broadly being fed up with one's job, there are plenty of reasons to want to find another job.

While people often spent their entire career in the same company in the last century, the French are increasingly showing their desire for change.

According to a recent opinion poll carried out by the BVA institute for the Mediarh.com site, 23% of respondents say they plan to resign in the next two years.

A figure that rises to 33% among 18-34 year olds.

But you still have to have the means to match your ambitions.

If you do not sign a promise of employment in advance to move directly to another position, Pôle emploi can pay you the famous return-to-work assistance allowance (ARE) during your period of inactivity... but under certain conditions only.

A legitimate reason

During the 2017 presidential campaign, candidate Emmanuel Macron promised to open unemployment insurance rights to employees who resign.

Five years later, too many working people still wrongly think that they will always get Pôle Emploi benefits if they leave their company.

In reality, the legislation imposes strict criteria by limiting this possibility to resignations deemed legitimate, i.e. 17 specific situations.

In the personal context, this is for example the case of a move to follow a spouse or PACS partner (cohabitation is not taken into account) or a change of residence forced by domestic violence.

More marginally, a minor or a person under legal protection (curatorship, guardianship, etc.) may also leave their job to follow their parents or guardian.

Certain professional reasons are also accepted, such as having suffered a criminal act at work (harassment, etc.) or resigning for a permanent contract which the new employer finally puts an end to before the minimum compensation period (65 days worked).

Similarly, if after a dismissal, a contractual termination or the end of a fixed-term contract, you directly find a job but decide to resign before the required 65 working days,

Another scenario: leaving to create or take over a business and fail.

In addition, committing to a civic service or volunteering contract also makes it possible to receive unemployment.

When you register with Pôle emploi, you must provide the necessary supporting documents to support your application.

Conversion into light

Since November 1, 2019, a new reason for resignation has been added to the list of situations for obtaining compensation from Pôle emploi: professional retraining.

But beware, only employees on permanent contracts with five years of activity over the previous 60 months can claim it.

And nothing is played, since it is necessary to pass in front of a regional joint commission to prove the real and serious character of its professional project.

Moreover, only retrainings that involve following a training course or creating or taking over a business are eligible.

It is only once the certificate of agreement issued by the commission that you can register with Pôle emploi and file an application for unemployment benefits.

More information on: Demission-reconversion.gouv.fr or by contacting the official telephone line on 0 801 01 03 02 (non-surcharged number)

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A new chance… in 4 months

Do you want to resign but your situation does not correspond to the scenarios deemed legitimate by Pôle emploi?

Ideally, it would be better to reach an agreement with your employer in order to release you from your CDI by means of a contractual termination.

You will then not only be able to receive severance pay but also benefit from unemployment benefits.

If your boss is not inclined to this compromise and you want to move on, know that 4 months (i.e. 121 days) after having resigned, you can request a review of your situation by Pôle emploi if you still have not found work.

More specifically, it is the regional joint body that will examine your file and may award you an allowance as of your 122nd day of inactivity.

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