EDD question: Can I still get UI after quitting a part-time job that demands social media posting?
I've been collecting EDD unemployment since December when my main job did a mass layoff. About three weeks ago, I picked up some part-time hours at a local marketing firm just to supplement my UI (approximately 22 hours one week and 18 the next). Now they're saying all employees MUST post about working there on our personal social media accounts, which was never mentioned during hiring or in any paperwork I signed. I've always kept my work and personal life separate online for privacy reasons. When I refused, my supervisor said it's a 'non-negotiable company policy' and implied I'd be terminated if I don't comply. I'm planning to either quit this side job or let them fire me, but I'm worried about how this will affect my ongoing unemployment claim. Would this be considered quitting with good cause? Should I let them fire me instead? The extra money was nice but honestly wasn't worth the stress - I'd rather just continue with my regular EDD benefits while looking for a real full-time position.
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Noah Ali
If you quit voluntarily, EDD may consider it quitting without good cause since it was a policy dispute, not unsafe working conditions. If they fire you for not following policy, EDD might consider it misconduct. Either way could jeopardize your benefits. However, since this was ADDITIONAL employment you started AFTER your original UI claim, you might be okay. When you certify, you'd report the earnings for those weeks you worked, then report zero when you stop working there. Did you report this part-time work on your certifications?
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Aria Park
•Yes! I've been reporting all the hours and income on my bi-weekly certifications. So are you saying since this part-time job wasn't the one I was laid off from originally, I might still be eligible to continue my regular benefits? I'm so confused about the rules in this situation.
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Chloe Boulanger
omg companies that force u to post about them on social r THE WORST!!! i had a job like that at a boutique and i HATED it. they made us post every new outfit and tag them. so cringe. not worth the hassle imo
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Aria Park
•Exactly! It feels so invasive. And all my friends would see it and know I'm just posting because I have to, not because I actually want to promote them. Did you end up quitting that job?
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Chloe Boulanger
•yup quit after like 3 weeks lol. best decision ever. some jobs just arent worth the drama no matter how much u need the money!!
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James Martinez
This is actually an interesting UI question. Since you began this job AFTER establishing your unemployment claim, it's considered "subsequent employment." If you quit subsequent employment, it generally doesn't affect your original claim eligibility AS LONG AS you reported the work and wages properly when certifying. The key question would be whether the social media requirement constitutes "good cause" for quitting. Unreasonable conditions that weren't disclosed at hiring might qualify, especially if it affects your privacy. Either way, make sure you have documentation about this policy not being in your hiring paperwork.
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Olivia Harris
•Not exactly true. EDD can still disqualify you if you quit ANY job without good cause during your benefit year. I've seen it happen. Better to be honest about the situation and let them make the determination.
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James Martinez
•You're right - I should have been clearer. EDD evaluates ALL job separations during the benefit period, but subsequent employment is viewed differently than the job that established the original claim. The burden is lower for showing good cause with subsequent employment than it is for the original job. And forced social media posting could potentially meet that standard if it wasn't disclosed initially.
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Alexander Zeus
I've been FIGHTING with EDD for 3 months now trying to get a simple question answered!!! Called 37 TIMES last week and never got through!!! Their system is BROKEN and they don't care about us!!! Had to file an appeal just to talk to a human!!!!
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Alicia Stern
•I had the same frustration until I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. It basically calls for you and holds your place in line, then calls you when they get an agent. Saved me days of redialing. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km or their website claimyr.com - it's actually worth it for complicated situations like yours where you really need to speak to someone.
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Alexander Zeus
•OMG THANK YOU!!! Going to try this RIGHT NOW!!! So sick of the busy signals!!!
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Gabriel Graham
social media posting is becoming more common in jobs these days esp in marketing and retail. not sure if that helps ur situation tho
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Aria Park
•Yeah, I understand it's becoming common, but I think there's a big difference between knowing that requirement up front vs. them springing it on you after you've already been working there. If they'd told me during the interview, I wouldn't have taken the job.
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Noah Ali
To clarify about subsequent employment: If you voluntarily quit a job that you began AFTER starting your UI claim, EDD evaluates whether you had good cause to quit. If they find you had good cause, your benefits continue. If they find you didn't have good cause, you could face disqualification for the weeks following that job separation. However, in practice, many EDD representatives are most concerned about the separation from your primary employer (the one that established your claim). For a brief part-time job, especially if it was clearly intended to be temporary, they often take a more lenient approach. Your best approach would be: 1. Document that this requirement wasn't in your hiring agreement 2. If possible, get the requirement in writing (email, text, etc.) 3. When you certify, accurately report why the job ended 4. Prepare to explain that this was an unexpected condition that violated your personal privacy Good luck!
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Aria Park
•Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I'll definitely make sure to document everything. My supervisor actually sent me a text yesterday saying "All team members are required to maintain active social profiles that reflect their employment with us" so I have that as evidence it's now required. Fingers crossed EDD understands my situation.
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Olivia Harris
I had somewhat similar situation last year. I was on UI and took a part-time gig at a restaurant. The manager started scheduling me for 38-39 hours (just under full-time) but refused to give benefits. I quit after 3 weeks and was worried about my UI. When I certified, I just honestly explained why I left. My benefits continued without interruption. Just be honest when you certify.
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Aria Park
•That's reassuring to hear! Did you have to do a phone interview with EDD after you reported quitting the part-time job?
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Olivia Harris
•Nope! I was prepared for one but they never called. Just got my payment as usual. I think because it was clearly a side job and not my main employment that caused the original claim.
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Alexander Zeus
I just don't understand why EDD makes EVERYTHING so COMPLICATED!!! The whole system feels designed to trip people up and deny benefits!!!
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James Martinez
•The rules are actually there to prevent fraud while allowing legitimate claims. In this case, the subsequent employment rules actually work in the claimant's favor since they protect the original claim eligibility. The system is complex because employment situations are complex - but I agree the documentation could be clearer.
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Alina Rosenthal
I'm dealing with something similar right now! My previous employer laid me off in November and I've been on UI since then. Last month I started a temp job that was supposed to be data entry, but now they want me to make cold calls which gives me severe anxiety and wasn't mentioned at all during hiring. I've been reporting all my hours and wages on my certifications too. Reading through these responses is really helpful - it sounds like since this isn't the job that established my original claim, I might be okay if I need to leave. The whole situation is so stressful when you're just trying to get back on your feet financially!
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Aliyah Debovski
•I totally understand that stress! It's so frustrating when employers change job duties after hiring without any discussion. Cold calling when you have anxiety sounds really tough, especially when it wasn't part of the original job description. From what I'm reading in this thread, it seems like since both of our situations involve jobs we took AFTER our original UI claims, we should be protected as long as we're honest about reporting everything. The fact that you're diligently reporting your hours and wages shows you're doing everything right. Have you been able to document that the cold calling wasn't mentioned during your hiring process?
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