Can I get unemployment if I quit after my employer relocated during my maternity leave?

Yes, you can potentially qualify for unemployment! This is considered a "good cause" quit since your employer materially changed your working conditions after your PFL ended. The significant increase in commute time/distance (5 mins to 45+ mins) creates an undue hardship, especially with a newborn. Make sure to document everything - when they notified you of the change, the exact locations/distances, and how it impacts your childcare situation. When you file, be very specific that you're quitting because the employer substantially changed your work location during your protected leave period. I went through something similar (though not as extreme) and successfully received benefits. EDD will likely contact your employer to verify the circumstances, so be prepared to explain your situation clearly.

i had almst the exact situation!! my job movd while i was on maternity and wanted me to commute 55 mins insted of 10. i quit n got unemployment no problem but that was in 2022 so rules might be difrent now. deffintly mention the babby and how u cant be away that long. they dont usally deny if u have a good reason!!

You should absolutely apply for unemployment, but there are some important details to consider first: 1. Try to negotiate alternatives BEFORE quitting (work-from-home, flexible hours, travel stipend, temporary assignment at different location). Document all these attempts. 2. Their "temporary relocation" claim is tricky - if it's truly temporary, EDD might expect you to endure a short-term hardship. Get the March timeline in writing if possible. 3. Make sure your maternity leave/PFL is fully completed before quitting, as this affects your base period for UI calculations. 4. When filing, specifically cite California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1256 which covers "good cause" quits including substantial and detrimental changes to work conditions. I help people with EDD claims, and the key difference between approval/denial often comes down to documentation and how you frame your reason for leaving. "I quit because of childcare issues" might be denied, but "I quit because employer substantially changed work conditions during protected leave creating undue hardship with my childcare responsibilities" is more likely to be approved.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST MOTHERS!!!! I went through almost EXACTLY this in 2023 and they DENIED my claim saying I "voluntarily quit without good cause." Had to appeal and wait 3 MONTHS before finally getting approved. The system is designed to wear you down! If you quit, they'll automatically assume it's YOUR FAULT. They don't care that you have a newborn or that your employer changed locations! The burden of proof is ON YOU to show it was their fault, not yours. Make SURE you get EVERYTHING in writing from your employer about the location change. Record any phone calls if legal in your area. Take screenshots of any communications. You'll need MOUNTAINS of evidence when they inevitably deny your initial claim!

I know this is frustrating but have you tried calling your employer first to see if they'll work with you? Maybe partial work from home? I had a similar situation (not as bad though) and my boss let me do 3 days remote, 2 days in office after my maternity leave. Worth asking before you quit!

If you're planning to call EDD about this (which I recommend before quitting), save yourself hours of frustration and use Claimyr.com to get through to an actual EDD agent quickly. I spent two weeks trying to get someone on the phone about my situation before discovering this service. They connected me to an EDD rep in about 10 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Talking to an actual EDD representative about your specific situation before quitting will give you the most accurate information about your unemployment eligibility and what documentation you'll need for your claim.

Let me clarify some technical points about this situation since there's some confusion in the comments: 1. An employer changing your work location significantly (5 mins to 45+ mins) after maternity leave can indeed qualify as "good cause" for voluntary quit under UI Code 1256. 2. The "temporary" nature matters - if truly temporary (get this in writing), EDD may expect reasonable accommodation for a short period. "Maybe moving back" isn't definitive enough. 3. Consider filing a complaint with DFEH if you believe this could be considered pregnancy discrimination (changing conditions only for you after leave). 4. You have the right to request reasonable accommodations for childcare needs under CA law, including flexible scheduling or partial remote work. 5. Document ALL communications about the relocation - when you were notified, how you were notified, and your attempts to find solutions. Before quitting, I'd recommend sending a formal email to your employer explaining the hardship and requesting accommodation. This paper trail will be crucial for your UI claim.

Quick update on California unemployment eligibility for this situation: As of 2025, EDD has actually been more lenient about commute-related quits, especially for parents returning from leave. The 2024 policy update clarified that a "substantial change in working conditions" includes significant increases in commute time/distance that create undue hardship for parents of young children. The current guideline is that a commute increase of 30+ minutes each way can potentially qualify as good cause for voluntary separation, particularly when childcare is involved. Your 5-minute to 45-minute/2-hour change certainly meets this threshold. Make sure to specify on your application that this was a "employer-initiated substantial change in working conditions" rather than just selecting "quit.

Has anyone actually calculated what this would cost her? Let's do the math: - $25 Uber each way = $50/day - Babysitting for 12 hours at even just $15/hr = $180/day - Total daily cost: $230 Assuming you make $25/hr (which is good pay), that's $200/day before taxes. You'd literally be PAYING to go to work! Even with bus transportation: - Bus fare (let's say $5 each way) = $10/day - Babysitting for 12 hours at $15/hr = $180/day - Total daily cost: $190 This is clearly an untenable situation. Document everything, but don't feel guilty about quitting. No reasonable person would expect someone to work under these conditions.