Personal data are stored and processed in information systems of the Unemployment Insurance (ALV). This document provides an overview of what personal data are, how they are processed and who can access them. It also explains the rights of jobseekers in this regard.
Short information
What are personal data?
‘Personal data’ are all details and information relating to an identified or identifiable person. The processing personal data is always done on a lawful basis or after the data subject has given their consent.
The applicable legal bases are listed in the last section of this page. Further information on personal data can be found in the UIA & RecA data privacy guidance (in German, French and Italian).
Unemployment Insurance’s information systems
The Unemployment Insurance has several different information systems. Below you will find a short description of these systems, the most important processed data and the main authorised users. A comprehensive list of processed data and authorised users can be found in the UIA Information Systems Ordinance (available in German, French and Italian).
AVAM: Information system for public employment services
Job-Room: Access platform for electronic services (eServices) and platform for public employment service (Job-Room)
ASAL: Information system for payment of unemployment insurance benefits
LAMDA: Information system for labour market data analysis
The regional employment centres (RAVs) use this information system to advise jobseekers and to help them find work.
Most important personal data processed
- Personal and address data (including email address)
- Professional qualifications, skills and experience, CV, language skills
- Type and extent of activity sought, mobility, driving licence, work region, last employer and its sector
- Data on labour market measures
- Reason, start and duration of sanctions, employability
Who has access to these data?
- RAV
- Social assistance and disability insurance only within the framework of interinstitutional cooperation
- Unemployment insurance compensation office (SECO)
Jobseekers can use this information system to search for vacancies, and employers can use it to search for suitable candidates. In addition, other services (eServices) are available to users in a protected area. This information system is accessible via www.job-room.ch.
Most important personal data processed
- Professional qualifications, skills and experience
- Type and scope of activity sought (availability), mobility, driving licence, work region
Who has access to these data?
- Public (access to anonymised personal data)
- Private employment agencies via protected access
- Unemployment insurance compensation office (SECO)
You’ll find more details on this in the data privacy statement that you have to accept before us-ing the protected area of the ‘Job-Room’ access platform.
The unemployment funds use this information system to pay unemployment benefits.
Most important personal data processed
- Personal and address data
- Date on employment and fitness for work
- Data on insurance benefits
- Data on sickness, accident, pregnancy, maternity/paternity, military service, civilian service and civil protection duty, imprisonment, and/or residence in educational institutions
Who has access to these data?
- Unemployment insurance funds
- Unemployment insurance compensation office (SECO)
This information system collects statistics on the Swiss labour market (e.g. the unemployment rate) and performance indicators for the cantonal enforcement authorities. The data contained in this system are only passed on in anonymised or pseudonymised form. The data cannot therefore be attributed to a data subject.
Who can access these data?
- Unemployment insurance funds
- RAV
- Unemployment insurance compensation office (SECO)
To whom can the data be passed on?
The data in the information systems can be passed on to other authorities under certain conditions. Details of these conditions can be found in Article 97a of the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA) and Article 34a of the Recruitment Act (RecA). The authorities concerned include, for example, cantonal tax authorities, the Federal Statistical Office and investigating authorities.
The data in the information systems are also very important for research. Personal data can therefore be passed on to research institutions on a one-time basis provided the data subjects have given their consent in writing. No consent is required for purely statistical, anonymised or pseudonymised data, or if there is an overriding public interest in disclosure. Likewise, no consent is required for surveys and research projects that are conducted on behalf of SECO.
What are my rights?
Jobseekers have the right to be informed about the use of their data free of charge and in a clear and readily understandable form.
During a specific timeframe for benefit eligibility, insured persons can also request that data stored about them are rectified or amended.
Stored data must be retained for five years from the last time they were processed. Data that do not have to be stored for statistical purposes are subsequently deleted.
Whom can I contact?
Jobseekers can contact the RAV if data related to RAV counselling or employment services are processed. Those who are registered with the Unemployment Insurance can contact their unemployment insurance fund if data on unemployment benefits are affected.
Those who are no longer registered with the Unemployment Insurance and would like information on their stored data, can contact SECO at the following address:
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Labour Market and Unemployment Insurance
Holzikofenweg 36, 3003 Bern
Further information
More details on the data processed in the Unemployment Insurance’s information systems, access rights and the rules on data sharing can be found in the following:
- Unemployment Insurance Act (in German, French and Italian) in particular Art. 97a
- Recruitment Act (in German, French and Italian) in particular Art. 34a
- UI Information Systems Ordinance (in German, French and Italian) in particular Annexes 1-3
- Guidance on the processing of personal data in the areas of RecA and UIA from the unemployment insurance compensation office (in German, French and Italian)