Will EDD approve my claim if I quit due to workplace drug use and no breaks for my diabetes?

Yes, you have a strong case for good cause! Two things working in your favor: 1) Health reasons - California law requires reasonable accommodations for medical conditions, and breaks for your diabetes definitely qualify. 2) The illegal activity (drugs) in the workplace plus your recovery status creates an unsafe work environment. Make sure you explain these specific points in your interview and provide any documentation you have about your medical condition and your attempts to resolve the issues with your supervisor before quitting. The timecard manipulation is also a labor code violation you should mention. I went through something similar with my asthma where my employer wouldn't accommodate me, and I was approved for benefits.

u probably wont qualify tbh. EDD is super strict about quitting. they denied me even tho i had a toxic boss. hope u have better luck tho

THE BREAK ISSUE ALONE SHOULD QUALIFY YOU!!!! California law REQUIRES employers to provide meal periods and rest breaks. What your boss did was illegal and EDD knows it!!! I worked at a call center that tried to pull that same garbage. They refused me breaks and I quit after 3 months when I developed stomach issues. EDD approved me in 2025 because I had documentation showing I tried to resolve it first. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Also, the timecard manipulation is wage theft which is another big no-no. You better believe the interviewer will take that seriously.

i had almost the same situation! sobar 5 years and my retail job had workers using in the bathroom. i quit and told edd about it in my interview. they said that was good cause because it put my sobriety at risk. got approved after like 3 weeks. dont worry too much!

Based on what you've described, you have legitimate reasons that should qualify as "good cause" for voluntary quit under California EDD guidelines. Here's what you need to focus on during your interview: 1. Medical necessity - Your diabetes requires regular breaks for meals/monitoring, which is a protected medical accommodation 2. Health and safety concerns - The presence of illegal drugs creates an unsafe work environment, especially given your recovery status 3. Labor violations - Denial of legally mandated breaks and timecard falsification Most importantly, be prepared to demonstrate that you made reasonable attempts to resolve these issues before quitting. The EDD interviewer will specifically ask what steps you took to address these problems with your employer before leaving. If you have texts, emails, or witnesses who can verify your attempts to resolve the situation, mention those during the interview. Bring any medical documentation regarding your diabetes management requirements. If you reported the break violations to any labor agency or have evidence of the timecard manipulation, have that ready as well.

I'm sorry you experienced that! Just a heads up - trying to reach EDD to discuss your case before the interview can sometimes help, but it's nearly impossible to get through. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone when I had a similar situation. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected with an EDD agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Talking to an agent before my interview helped me understand exactly what documentation they needed for my medical accommodation case. Totally worth it instead of stressing until your actual interview date.

Your diabetes alone is enough for good cause if you document it properly! My cousin is diabetic and quit his warehouse job when they wouldn't allow proper breaks for insulin management. He brought medical documentation to his interview showing why regular breaks were necessary for his health. The key was proving he had requested accommodation multiple times before quitting. He was approved within 2 weeks after his interview. The drug issue adds another layer of protection - especially with your sobriety history. Make sure to mention that specifically as creating an unsafe recovery environment.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING: be super clear about the TIMELINE! When did you first notice the drug use? When did you first report it? When did your supervisor laugh? Same with the breaks - DATES MATTER! The EDD interviewer will be trying to establish that you made reasonable efforts to fix these issues before quitting. If you can show you tried for weeks/months to resolve it, that strengthens your case! My interviewer was super focused on exactly when I reported problems to my boss and how long I waited before quitting.

wait are u sure they manipulated ur timecard?? how did u find out? that's super illegal lol

One more important tip for your interview: frame your decision to quit in terms of having "no reasonable alternative." EDD looks for whether you exhausted all options before quitting. Mention if you tried to: 1. Request formal accommodations for your diabetes 2. Report the break violations to HR or upper management 3. Request transfer to another department/location 4. Report drug use concerns to someone above your supervisor If your company was small with no HR department, explain that too. The key is showing you didn't quit at the first sign of trouble but tried your best to make the situation work while protecting your health and sobriety.