I'm so sorry you're going through this - workplace toxicity can absolutely destroy your mental health. Before you quit, I'd strongly recommend trying to request accommodations through HR first, even if you think it won't help. Document everything in writing - your requests, their responses, specific incidents that affected your mental health. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to resolve the situation before resigning. Also, ask your therapist to document how your work environment specifically impacts your condition and their professional opinion on whether continuing in this role would be detrimental to your recovery. The more detailed medical documentation you have, the stronger your case will be. NYS Department of Labor will look at whether you had "good cause" to quit, and mental health can qualify, but they need solid evidence that the job was causing or significantly worsening your condition.

I'm going through something very similar right now and it's so validating to see others have faced this too. One thing I learned from my lawyer consultation is that NYS Department of Labor considers it "constructive dismissal" when workplace conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. The key phrase they look for is whether you had "no reasonable alternative" but to resign. Beyond the medical documentation everyone mentioned, also keep records of any company policies they might be violating - like if they have anti-harassment or mental health support policies they're not following. If your supervisor is creating the toxic environment, document specific dates, times, and witnesses if possible. Also check if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - using it shows you tried to get help while staying employed, which can strengthen your case. The waiting period is brutal though, so definitely start gathering all your documentation now while you're still employed. And consider reaching out to legal aid organizations in NY - some offer free consultations for employment issues and can help you understand your rights before you make the decision to quit.

File today!! Don't let your pride stop you - you paid into unemployment insurance for exactly this situation. Even if your employer contests it, you can appeal and often win. I got fired for 'attitude problems' and still got approved after they reviewed the case.

Hey Leila, I went through something similar last year and the key thing is don't overthink it - just file NOW. You can file your claim online at labor.ny.gov and it takes maybe 20-30 minutes. The system will ask you about why you were terminated, just answer honestly. "Poor performance" without any documented warnings or willful misconduct on your part usually won't disqualify you. I was worried my employer would fight it too but they didn't even respond to the DOL's inquiry. Even if they do contest it, you'll get a chance to tell your side of the story. The benefits really help while you're job searching, and you've earned them through all those payroll deductions. Don't leave money on the table!

Just remember you need to keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination. A lot of people don't realize this and then miss out on payments for those weeks. The weekly claim filing keeps your place in line basically.

I just went through this process recently and got approved after about 2.5 weeks. One thing that really helped was making sure I had all my employment documentation ready - like pay stubs and the separation notice from my employer. Since your store closed, that should actually work in your favor because it's clearly not a voluntary quit or termination for cause. Just keep checking your my.ny.gov account daily and respond immediately to any requests for additional info. Also, definitely start filing your weekly claims like others mentioned - I almost missed doing that at first!

I went through this exact situation as a substitute teacher two years ago. The "reasonable assurance" rule is really tricky - it basically means if your school district gives you any indication (even verbal) that they expect you back in the fall, you might be denied. However, as a substitute, you're typically in a better position than full-time teachers since your work is truly on-call. I'd recommend applying and being very specific about your employment status - mention that you're per-diem, have no guaranteed hours, and that substitute positions depend entirely on teacher absences which can't be predicted. Document everything your district tells you about summer work expectations. The worst they can do is deny you, but many substitutes do successfully collect benefits during summer months.

I'm also a substitute teacher dealing with this same confusion! Reading through everyone's experiences has been really eye-opening. It sounds like the key is being very specific about our per-diem status and the unpredictable nature of substitute work. I'm planning to apply as soon as our school year ends and will definitely emphasize that while the district might call me back in fall, there's zero guarantee about actual work days since substitute positions only exist when regular teachers are absent. Has anyone had success getting through to NYS Department of Labor recently to ask questions before filing? I'm hoping to get some clarity on my specific situation but those phone wait times everyone mentioned sound brutal.

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare to navigate. I swear they make it confusing on purpose. At least staying in state should be straightforward - it's when you cross state lines that everything becomes a bureaucratic mess.

Just wanted to add that when you update your address, also make sure to check if there are any local American Job Centers or career services in Syracuse that you should register with. Sometimes they have additional resources or job fairs that could help with your search requirements. The transition should be smooth since you're staying in NY, but taking advantage of local resources in your new city could actually help you find work faster and get off unemployment sooner.