Recommended Resignation vs Voluntary Resignation: Where the Benefit Differs

As of September 24, 2026. The daily amount and number of days are in a separate post. Here is only who is eligible — the reason for leaving is the deciding factor. Final recognition is made by the employment center based on the employment confirmation form and the actual facts.

Who it applies to

Workers who meet the other requirements, including having sufficient insured period under employment insurance. Even with the period met, if the reason for leaving is excluded there is no job-seeking allowance.

Where it divides

The Employment Insurance Act excludes the following from eligibility:

• Dismissal for serious fault
• Leaving for personal reasons

A recommended resignation is not decided by the label alone. If the company first asked the worker to leave because of business needs, downsizing or its own circumstances, and the worker left because of that, it is often treated as a legitimate leaving rather than a personal resignation. If the resignation form says only "personal reasons" and there is no record of the company's request, it may be treated as a voluntary resignation.

Voluntary resignation is excluded in principle. There are exceptions where the enforcement rule sets out legitimate reasons. Typical directions are unpaid wages, pay below the minimum wage, working conditions different from those at hiring, harassment or sexual harassment at work, commuting becoming difficult, and illness. Each item has different period and evidence requirements. Do not decide on your own that you qualify — get counseling at the employment center and keep your evidence.

The reason field on the employment confirmation form is the company's record. If it differs from reality, request a correction to the form. The written reason and the evidence come before the code number.

Examples

If the company notified a department closure in writing and proposed a recommended resignation, and the employment confirmation form also records business necessity, it is close to meeting the requirement. If you resigned to move to another company, that is leaving for personal reasons and in principle there is no job-seeking allowance.

Sources

Article 58 of the Employment Insurance Act. The specific items of legitimate reasons for leaving are in the Attached Table of the enforcement rule of the same act. Apply through 고용24, within the 12-month benefit period starting the day after you left.