I'm going through something really similar right now - toxic manager, impossible workload, and feeling completely trapped. From what I've researched, you CAN potentially get unemployment if you quit for "good cause" but the bar is pretty high. NYS Department of Labor looks for things like documented harassment, unsafe conditions, or major changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement. The tricky part is proving it. I'd suggest starting to document everything NOW - send emails to HR about your concerns (even if they don't respond), keep records of the unreasonable demands, and if there are witnesses to the hostile behavior, see if they'd be willing to provide statements. Also consider talking to your manager's boss or asking about a transfer before you quit - NYS DOL wants to see that you tried other solutions first. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already dealing with terrible situations, but having that paper trail could make the difference between getting benefits or not.

I've been through a very similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. The key is understanding that NYS Department of Labor defines "good cause" pretty narrowly - it's not enough to just be unhappy or overworked. However, your situation with doing three people's jobs after a restructure without additional compensation could potentially qualify as constructive dismissal. Start documenting everything NOW - send professional emails to HR about your concerns regarding the unsustainable workload and hostile work environment. Even if they don't respond, it creates a crucial paper trail. Keep your original job description and compare it to what you're doing now to show how dramatically your role has changed. Also, try to exhaust internal remedies first - ask about transfers, speak to your manager's supervisor, or inquire about voluntary separation packages. The appeals process can take months and you likely won't receive benefits during that time, so plan financially accordingly. If you need to contact NYS Department of Labor during this process, their phone system is terrible - you might want to look into services like Claimyr that help you actually get through to a real person. Your 8-year tenure actually helps your case since it shows you're not someone who quits lightly.

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my marketing job. My claim was pending for exactly 3 weeks before it got approved. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications like others mentioned - that saved me from losing any back pay. I also recommend checking your online account every few days to see if any new documents or information are requested, even though it sounds like you're already doing that. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking but layoffs due to budget cuts are usually pretty straightforward for them to verify.

I'm in a very similar boat - filed my claim 8 days ago after being laid off and still stuck in pending status. It's really frustrating not having any clear timeline or communication from NYS DOL about what's happening behind the scenes. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, but that @Andre Dupont mention of claimyr.com is interesting - has anyone else tried that service to actually get through to speak with someone? The phone system seems completely overwhelmed and I'm wondering if there are better ways to get updates on claim status.

Just want to add that even if your injury heals and you become able to work again, you could potentially file for unemployment at that point if you're having trouble finding a new job. But right now while you're medically unable to work, disability benefits are your best bet. Hope your back heals up soon!

This is such an important distinction that more people need to understand! I work in benefits administration and see this confusion all the time. Just to clarify a few key points: 1) New York State Disability Benefits (DBL) is actually a state-mandated program that most employees pay into through payroll deductions - check your paystubs for "DBL" deductions. 2) You can apply for NYS disability online at wcb.ny.gov if you've been unable to work for more than 7 days due to your injury. 3) The benefit is typically 50% of your average weekly wage up to a cap. 4) You'll need your doctor to complete disability paperwork. Don't let your savings drain while you're figuring this out - if you've been paying into the system, you're likely entitled to these benefits!

Any update? Did your claim appear in the system yet?

So glad to see you got it sorted out! This thread is going to be super helpful for anyone else who runs into this same issue. The NY DOL system definitely has its quirks, but at least now we know that 2-3 business day processing delay is normal for new claims filed on Fridays. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

just keep filing ur weekly claims thats the main thing, even if its not approved yet u can still get backpay

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 2 weeks ago after my company did layoffs and still waiting for approval. From what I've read on the NYS DOL website, they're currently experiencing higher than normal claim volumes which is causing delays. 10 days is still within the normal processing window, so I wouldn't panic yet. The important thing is to keep doing your weekly certifications like others mentioned. You might also want to double-check that all your employer information was entered correctly when you filed, since any discrepancies can slow down the verification process.