When an employee covered by employment insurance leaves, the employer notifies Hello Work that the person has lost coverage, within about ten days of the departure. If the employee wants it, and automatically for those aged 59 or over, the employer attaches a separation certificate showing wages for each recent month and the reason for leaving. Hello Work checks it and issues the rishokuhyo, which the employer passes to the former employee. Since 20 January 2025, where the employer files electronically and the employee has linked their My Number online account, the notice can go straight to the employee.
The reason for leaving is the part that matters most. The certificate records whether the person resigned for personal reasons, was dismissed, retired at the mandatory age, reached the end of a fixed-term contract or left for other company reasons. The employee signs to confirm or dispute it. That classification decides when unemployment benefit starts and how long it lasts.
Employees who join a new employer straight away do not need the notice. It is still worth requesting, since a short gap or a failed start can turn into a claim.
What it means for a foreign employer
- File on time. A late filing delays the former employee's benefit and is a common source of complaints from leavers and their lawyers.
- Record the reason accurately. Describing a negotiated exit as a voluntary resignation when it was not can be challenged by the employee at Hello Work, and undermines the settlement.
- Separation agreements should say what goes on it. Where the reason is agreed as part of a package, state the wording in the agreement so there is no dispute later.
- A candidate's notice reveals the story. If someone between jobs is drawing benefit, the reason recorded tells you how they left.
Sources
- Employment Insurance Act, Article 7, and its enforcement ordinance.
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Digital Agency, electronic delivery of the separation notice via the My Number portal from 20 January 2025.