Have you considered talking to your manager first about the issues? Sometimes they don't realize how their actions are affecting employees. Plus if you document that conversation and they refuse to address the problems, that could help your case if you do decide to quit and file for unemployment.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The key thing is that NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you had "good cause" to quit - and from what you're describing (major hour cuts, constant schedule changes without notice, hostile supervisor) you might actually have a case. The reduction from 35 to 15 hours alone could be considered constructive dismissal if it's a significant change from your original job terms. Start documenting everything NOW - take screenshots of your schedule, write down specific incidents with dates/times, and if possible get any communications in writing. When you apply, you'll need to clearly explain that you had no choice but to quit due to these unreasonable working conditions. Don't just say you quit because of a "toxic environment" - be specific about how the conditions made it impossible for you to continue working there.

lmaooo an EMAIL? 😂 they barely answer their phones and u think theres an EMAIL? welcome to ny unemployment hell my friend 🤡

I feel your pain! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - 10 weeks of pending status with zero communication. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my state assemblyperson's office (they have direct lines to unemployment) AND used one of those callback services to get through the phone system. The assemblyperson's office was actually really helpful - they submitted an inquiry on my behalf and I heard back within a week. Also make sure you're checking for any employer contests on your claim, that's what was holding mine up and nobody bothered to tell me. Don't give up, the system is designed to frustrate you into quitting but you deserve those benefits!

ugh the whole unemployment system is such a nightmare, why can't they just make it easier to fix simple mistakes without having to jump through hoops

I went through something similar when I first filed my claim. Don't panic - mistakes happen and the system is designed to handle corrections. Here's what worked for me: first, document exactly what information you got wrong and what the correct details should be. Then try the secure messaging system through my.ny.gov first - it's often faster than calling. If you don't get a response within a week, then try calling early in the morning (like 8 AM) when the phone lines are less busy. Whatever you do, don't file a second claim - that will definitely cause more problems than it solves. The key is being honest and proactive about the corrections.

Had the exact same authorization error last month! What worked for me was going directly to labor.ny.gov first, then navigating to the unemployment services from there instead of using the direct link. Also try using Edge browser if you have it - for some reason NY's site plays nicer with Microsoft browsers. If all else fails, definitely try calling early morning around 8 AM when they open, the hold times are way shorter then.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to file my unemployment claim for the past 4 days and keep hitting that authorization error. So frustrating when you're already stressed about losing your job and then the system won't even let you apply for benefits. I've tried different browsers, clearing cache, incognito mode - nothing works. Might have to bite the bullet and try that claimyr service people are mentioning since calling directly seems impossible to get through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, at least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess! 😤

Your sister should definitely apply - don't let her assume she's not eligible just because she quit. I work in HR and see this situation a lot. NYS Department of Labor specifically recognizes hostile work environment as good cause for quitting under Section 593 of the labor law. The key things she should gather before filing: any texts or emails showing the hostile behavior, names of coworkers who witnessed incidents, documentation of any complaints she made (even informal ones), and a detailed timeline of events. She should file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period anyway. Even if the initial decision takes time, she won't get benefits for weeks she doesn't claim. The worst they can say is no, but she might be surprised and get approved.

I went through something similar with NYS Department of Labor last year. One thing that really helped my case was writing down everything I could remember about the hostile incidents - even small details like dates, times, and exactly what was said. I also reached out to former coworkers who witnessed some of the behavior and asked if they'd be willing to provide statements if needed. The adjudicator told me later that having multiple sources backing up my story made a big difference. Your sister should also keep records of her job search efforts since she'll need to show she's actively looking for work. The whole process was stressful but definitely worth it - I ended up getting approved after the initial review. Tell her not to get discouraged if it takes a while to hear back!