Can I qualify for EDD benefits if I quit due to hostile workplace with verbally abusive boss?

DONT QUIT!!!! If u quit EDD will 100% deny ur claim - they ALWAYS do that first. You NEED to be fired or laid off to get benefits. Trust me, I made this mistake and regretted it.

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. You CAN qualify for unemployment if you quit with "good cause." Hostile work environment can qualify, but you need documentation. Start keeping detailed records of all incidents with dates/times. If possible, report the issues to HR or someone above your boss. EDD will want to see that you tried to resolve the situation before quitting. Also, consider consulting with an employment attorney (not your boss obviously!) about whether your situation meets the legal definition of a hostile work environment.

when i quit my job the edd interviewer asked me a bunch of questions about why i left and if i tried to fix the problems first. they denied me initially but i appealed and won! just make sure you have your ducks in a row before you leave

In my experience as an HR professional, EDD considers several factors when determining if quitting was for "good cause." For a hostile work environment claim, they typically look for: 1. Evidence that working conditions were truly intolerable 2. Documentation showing you tried to resolve the issues 3. Medical documentation if the workplace caused health issues 4. Witness statements (like your contact with the former employee) Since there's no HR, I recommend sending an email to your boss documenting your concerns professionally. State that the verbal treatment is affecting your ability to perform your job. Their response (or lack thereof) becomes evidence. Also see if your doctor will document any stress-related health impacts. When you eventually have an eligibility interview with EDD, be prepared to explain exactly why the situation was so intolerable that any reasonable person would have quit.

My cousin works at edd and says they see this ALL THE TIME. you might get denied at first but u can appeal. they told me most people just give up after the first denial which is dumb bc appeals often work!!!! the big thing is u have to show u tried to fix it before quitting. and btw that place sounds horrible why would a lawyer risk treating employees like that? probably cuz most people don't fight back!

Been through something similar with a micromanaging boss who made my life hell. I quit and applied for UI benefits. Got denied initially, but I appealed and had my eligibility interview. The interviewer was actually pretty understanding once I explained everything. Make sure you get your former coworker to write a statement backing up your claims about the toxic environment. The most frustrating part was trying to reach EDD after my initial denial. I spent weeks trying to get through on the phone lines without success. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep within about 20 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. It was honestly worth it to actually talk to someone who could help me understand why I was denied and how to properly appeal.

sry but lawyer offices r the worst!!! i worked at 2 and both were toxic AF. they think they can treat staff like garbage. my advice is to start looking for another job while ur still employed. if ur boss is an employment attorney he probs knows all the loopholes to fight ur unemployment claim.

One more important thing to consider: if your employer contests your unemployment claim (which they likely will), you'll have an appeal hearing. These are currently being conducted over the phone due to the backlog. Be prepared to clearly explain: 1. Specific examples of the hostile behavior 2. How it affected your ability to perform your job 3. All attempts you made to resolve the situation 4. Why you had no reasonable alternative but to quit The Administrative Law Judge will make a determination based on whether your reason for leaving constitutes "good cause" under EDD regulations. I'd recommend reviewing the EDD Appeal Board precedent decisions on their website to better understand how these cases are typically decided.

Whether they contest it depends on many factors, including how concerned they are about their unemployment insurance rates increasing. Given that they've gone through multiple employees in the same position, they might not contest it aggressively if they know their behavior could be exposed. One strategic consideration: if you're being mistreated by an employment law attorney, they might actually be MORE cautious about fighting your claim aggressively. They understand better than most the potential liability if you decide to pursue other legal remedies beyond unemployment. Document everything factually without embellishment, and focus on creating a record that shows you had no reasonable alternative but to leave. Also, California recognizes constructive discharge - where working conditions are so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign. This can be relevant to both unemployment claims and potential wrongful termination claims.

have u thought about trying to get fired instead of quitting?? like maybe start doing really detailed documentation of all the abuse and make it obvious ur writing everything down. they might fire u just cuz they're paranoid about what ur documenting! then ud qualify for sure

Thank you all for the helpful advice. I'm going to start documenting everything meticulously, see my doctor about the anxiety this is causing, and send an email to my boss outlining my concerns professionally. I'll also reach out to my former coworker for a written statement. I'm still scared about the whole process and whether I'll qualify, but at least I have a better understanding of what to expect now. I'll update this thread once I make my decision and go through the process with EDD.

Good luck with everything! I went through a similar situation a few years ago at a small marketing firm. The documentation really is key - I kept a detailed log with dates, times, witnesses present, and exact quotes when possible. Also, if you have any work-related text messages or emails that show the toxic behavior, screenshot those too. One thing that really helped my case was showing a pattern of behavior over time rather than just isolated incidents. EDD wants to see that this wasn't just a bad day or misunderstanding, but an ongoing problem that made your work environment truly unbearable. The fact that they've cycled through 3 people in your position within a year is actually strong evidence in your favor - it shows this isn't about your performance but about systemic workplace issues. Stay strong and prioritize your mental health. No job is worth sacrificing your wellbeing for.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now at my current job, so I really feel for you. One thing I want to add that hasn't been mentioned much is to also document how this hostile environment is affecting your work performance. EDD will want to see that the conditions weren't just unpleasant, but that they actually interfered with your ability to do your job effectively. For example, if the verbal abuse happens in front of clients or disrupts your concentration on important tasks, make note of that. If you're spending mental energy dealing with workplace drama instead of focusing on your actual responsibilities, that's relevant too. The key is showing that a reasonable person couldn't be expected to perform their job duties under these conditions. Also, since you mentioned your boss is an employment attorney, they might actually be more hesitant to contest your claim aggressively because they know better than anyone what constitutes a hostile work environment legally. Sometimes lawyers can be their own worst enemy when they think they know how to game the system but end up creating more liability for themselves. Keep your chin up - prioritizing your mental health is the right call here, and it sounds like you're building a solid case if you do decide to leave.