Suspension period

In everyday speech, ‘suspension period’ is often used interchangeably with ‘waiting period’ or ‘periodisation time’. However, ‘suspension period’ specifically refers to a length of time determined by the TE Office during which you are not entitled to earnings-related daily allowance.

As of 2 May 2022, a new customer service model has been introduced in TE Offices and the municipalities involved in the municipal employment experiment. This page compiles information on the suspension periods according to the new model.

The length of the suspension period varies from 7 to 60 days, depending on the grounds on which it was imposed. All days are counted towards the suspension period (Monday to Sunday).

During the suspension period, no daily allowance is paid and your waiting period does not accrue. The term of periodisation, however, does accrue during the suspension period.

You may apply for daily allowance for the suspension period. KOKO will issue you a decision that you may appeal if you wish. You may only appeal a decision issued by KOKO; you may not appeal the TE Office statement.

For further information on suspension periods, visit the TE Office website.

Resignation from work

45 days: resignation from work lasting more than 5 days or causing termination of employment

30 days: resignation from work lasting up to 5 days or causing termination of such employment

Refusal to work

45 days: refusing work lasting more than 2 weeks for which you have been selected

Failure to draw up or implement an employment plan — staggered suspension periods

Failure to draw up or implement an employment plan includes failure to attend an agreed meeting with the TE Office or municipal experiment (e.g. initial interview or job search interview), refusal to draw up an employment plan and failure to implement an employment plan (e.g. not applying for jobs or refusing an employment promotion service).

Reminder: first forgetfulness or failure (no loss of benefit)

7 days: 2nd time in a year

14 days: 3rd time in a year

Employment condition: 4th time in a year. Read more about the employment condition below.

Employment condition

If you repeatedly commit actions that are considered reprehensible regarding labour market policy, the TE Office will impose an employment condition on you instead of a suspension period. In such a case, your entitlement to earnings-related unemployment allowance will be reinstated once you have spent at least 12 calendar weeks (about 3 months)

  • in employment that accrues your employment condition,
  • in labour market training,
  • in job search coaching or career coaching, in an employment or training experiment or in rehabilitative work activities,
  • as a full-time student, or
  • as a full-time entrepreneur or self-employed person.

Contact the TE Office before beginning any activities to establish whether those activities accrue your employment condition.