Will EDD disqualify me if I quit a machine operator job that's too difficult after coming from inspection work?

I was in almost the exact same boat last year! I'd been receiving UI after losing my warehouse job, took a chance on a sales position (completely different field), and it was a disaster. I quit after 3 weeks and applied to restart my benefits. EDD scheduled an eligibility interview and ultimately approved me to continue receiving benefits because I could show the job wasn't suitable based on my work history and skills. The key was documenting everything - I showed emails where I told my supervisor I was struggling and needed more training, which they didn't provide. One thing that helped me get through to EDD quickly for the interview was using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD rep in under 25 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Definitely worth it to avoid the endless busy signals!

BE CAREFUL! This is actually a complicated situation with EDD. The "suitable work" determination is based on several factors including your skills, previous wages, distance from home, AND the length of time you've been unemployed. What most people don't realize is that what EDD considers "suitable" CHANGES the longer you're on unemployment. After you've been collecting benefits for a while, you're expected to expand your job search beyond your exact experience. If you quit because the job is genuinely beyond your capabilities despite reasonable effort, document EVERYTHING. Keep emails about training requests, performance discussions, etc. You'll need all this for the eligibility interview EDD will schedule if you reapply after quitting.

I worked for EDD for 7 years (retired in 2021). Here's what you need to know: 1. If you quit ANY job voluntarily, EDD automatically flags your account for an eligibility interview 2. During that interview, the burden of proof is ON YOU to demonstrate the work wasn't suitable 3. For machine operation with no experience, you'd need to show: - You made reasonable efforts to learn the job - You communicated difficulties to your employer - You requested additional training/support - The job truly required skills you don't possess 4. The interviewer will contact your employer for their side My advice? If you do take the job, document EVERYTHING from day one. Email yourself notes after conversations, save all training materials, and be explicit with supervisors about your learning curve.

I quit a job after 2 weeks last year cause it was WAY harder than what they described in the interview!!!! When I applied to get my benefits back, EDD kept me waiting for 6 WEEKS with no money while they "investigated" and then DENIED ME!!!!! Said I didn't have "good cause" to quit! Had to do a whole appeal which took ANOTHER 8 weeks! Finally won but almost got evicted waiting!!!! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!!!!!

honestly if u take the job just stick with it for at least 90 days. edd is way more likely to disqualify u if u quit right away. my roommate got training for machining last year and said it was intimidating at first but got easier. maybe ask if they have a training period? also many places are desperate for workers so they might be cool with u learning on the job.

One more thing to consider: If you go to the interview, be honest about your lack of experience. If they hire you knowing that, it actually strengthens your case if you later need to demonstrate the job wasn't suitable. It shows you were transparent and they still moved forward. Also, depending on how long you've been on unemployment, taking the job might reset your benefit year even if you return to unemployment later. For some people, this is actually beneficial because it could potentially qualify you for a new claim with a higher weekly benefit amount if the machine operator job pays more than your previous position.

I think this depends a lot on how much effort the employer puts into training you. If they just throw you on a machine with minimal instruction, that's different than if they provide adequate training that you still can't handle. I took a job in a completely different field last year, and while it was challenging, my employer provided excellent training. I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. But if your employer doesn't provide proper training for someone with no experience, that could strengthen your case with EDD that the job wasn't suitable. Have you considered asking if they'd let you shadow someone for a day before accepting the position? That might give you a better idea if it's something you could potentially learn.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - when I had my eligibility interview, EDD was mainly concerned with these questions: 1. Did I make a good faith effort to succeed at the job? 2. Did I communicate my difficulties to my supervisor? 3. Did I request additional training or support? 4. Was I given reasonable time to improve? 5. Was I hired under conditions different than what was described? They definitely didn't just take my word for it - they contacted my employer too. The determination really came down to whether I made a genuine effort versus just quitting because I didn't like it. The interviewer was actually quite understanding once I explained my situation.

I'm dealing with a similar dilemma right now! I've been on UI for about 8 weeks after my data entry job ended, and I have an interview next week for a forklift operator position - something I've never done before. Like you, I'm torn between not wanting to pass up opportunities and being terrified of losing my benefits if I can't handle it. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like the key is really documenting everything and making a genuine effort. I'm planning to be completely upfront in my interview about my lack of experience and ask lots of questions about their training program. If they're willing to hire me knowing I'm a complete beginner, at least that shows I was transparent. One thing I'm also considering is reaching out to some temp agencies that specialize in warehouse/manufacturing work. They sometimes have shorter-term assignments that could let you test the waters in different types of work without the same commitment level. Just a thought! Keep us posted on how your interview goes - I think a lot of us are in similar boats right now.