I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago and successfully got unemployment benefits after quitting due to workplace harassment. One thing that really helped my case was keeping a written record of every incident - I actually started emailing myself detailed summaries after each confrontation so there would be timestamps. When I filed with NYS Department of Labor, I also included screenshots of the company's employee handbook sections about respectful workplace treatment that my supervisor was clearly violating. The adjudication process took about 3 weeks, but having all that documentation made the difference. Also, when you do quit, make sure to state in your resignation that it's due to the hostile work environment - don't just say you're leaving for "personal reasons" or they might question your good cause claim later.

I'm sorry you're going through this - workplace bullying is serious and can definitely qualify as good cause for unemployment benefits in NY. Based on what others have shared, I'd recommend a few immediate steps: 1) Start documenting everything NOW - write down past incidents with as much detail as you can remember (dates, times, witnesses), 2) Save those text messages from coworkers and ask if they'd be willing to provide written statements, 3) Check your employee handbook for harassment policies your manager is violating, and 4) Even though your store doesn't have HR, consider sending an email to the district manager documenting the issues - this creates a paper trail showing you tried to address it internally. When you do resign, be clear that it's due to the hostile work environment. The fact that your manager is verbally abusing you in front of customers and calling you names creates a strong case for constructive discharge. Don't let anyone convince you that retail work "just involves difficult managers" - what you're describing crosses the line into workplace harassment.

Thanks for asking this question! I always wondered the same thing. Makes sense that it's employer-funded since they're the ones doing the hiring and firing decisions.

This is really helpful to understand! I had no idea employers were paying quarterly taxes for this. It makes me wonder - does this mean that companies with better employee retention actually save money on these taxes? Like if a tech company rarely has layoffs, do they pay less than a seasonal business that has to let people go every winter?

I had the exact same issue when I first applied! The PIN letter took almost 2 weeks to arrive for me. In the meantime, I recommend calling early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's when I had the best luck getting through to someone. Also, if you're really worried about missing your certification window, you can visit a local Department of Labor office in person. They can help you with the PIN setup on the spot and you won't have to wait for the mail. Just bring your ID and any documentation from your unemployment claim. The staff there were actually pretty helpful when I went.

I just went through this exact same process a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: First, check your spam/junk mail folder - my PIN letter ended up there for some reason. If it's really not there after 10 business days, call the Tele-Cert line at 888-581-5812 but try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open - I got through on the second ring that way. They can actually give you your PIN over the phone once they verify your identity with your SSN and claim details. Also, don't panic about missing your certification deadline - you have a grace period and can usually backdate as long as you're actively working to resolve the issue. The whole PIN system is honestly poorly explained on their website, so you're definitely not alone in being confused about it!

I went through this exact same confusion when I first started filing! The recall date question tripped me up too. From my experience, if your employer didn't give you a specific date when they laid you off, then you simply don't have one to report. I was laid off from my manufacturing job last fall and my supervisor just said "we're downsizing permanently" - no mention of any return date. I left that field blank on all my weekly certifications and never had any issues with my benefits. The key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor just wants accurate information about your situation. Don't stress about leaving it blank if that's the reality of your layoff. Better to be honest than to make up a date that doesn't exist.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this question come up a lot. You're absolutely right to be cautious about accuracy! The recall date field is only for situations where your employer specifically told you when they plan to bring you back - like "we're laying you off for the winter but expect to recall everyone on April 15th." Since your employer described this as a layoff without giving you any specific return date, leaving it blank is the correct choice. This tells NYS Department of Labor that you're permanently separated rather than on temporary standby, which means you'll need to meet the job search requirements but you're free to accept other employment. Don't worry about leaving it blank - that's exactly what the system expects in your situation.

I'm in a similar boat - filed about 2 weeks ago and stuck in the "Pending Adjudication" status. One thing I learned from calling the Department of Labor (after many attempts) is that you can also check for updates in the "Determinations" section of your account. Sometimes decisions get posted there before the main status changes. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, that can add to the adjudication time since they have to verify with each one. The rep told me to expect 4-6 weeks total for my case since I had 3 different jobs last year. It's frustrating but at least we know we're not alone in this process!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed 2 weeks ago and also stuck at "claim filed" status. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful because I was starting to think something was wrong with my application. I had no idea about the Correspondence tab or the Determinations section, so I'm definitely going to check those. The adjudication process sounds really stressful but at least it seems like most people eventually get approved. I've been avoiding calling because of the horror stories about wait times, but maybe I should try the early morning suggestion someone mentioned. It's reassuring to know that keeping up with weekly certifications during the wait is important - I was wondering if I should keep doing those. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it really helps to know we're all dealing with the same frustrating system!