I went through this exact situation last year and was able to get unemployment after quitting due to a hostile work environment. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I documented every incident with dates and details in a journal, 2) I reported the issues to HR in writing and kept copies of their responses (or lack thereof), 3) I had a coworker willing to be a witness, and 4) I saw my doctor about stress-related symptoms and got that documented. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim but I appealed and won after presenting all this evidence. The whole process took about 6 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. Start documenting everything NOW if you haven't already - even if you decide not to quit, having that paper trail could be important later.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - toxic management and considering quitting. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening about the documentation requirements. One thing I'm wondering about is timing - if I start documenting issues now but don't quit for another month or two, would that still be considered valid evidence? Or does NYS Department of Labor expect you to quit immediately after reporting problems? Also, has anyone had experience with what they consider "substantial changes to job duties"? My responsibilities have completely shifted from what I was hired for and it's causing major stress.

I went through this exact situation 2 years ago when our local went on strike for 5 weeks. The unemployment denial was tough but here's what helped me get through it: 1) Applied for emergency SNAP benefits immediately - the process was faster than I expected, 2) Called my credit card companies and mortgage lender to explain the situation - most had temporary hardship programs, 3) Our union organized carpools and shared resources which saved on gas/groceries. Also check if your union has agreements with local businesses for discounts during strikes. Mine had deals with a few grocery stores that helped stretch the strike fund money. Stay strong and remember this is temporary - the financial stress is real but you're fighting for something important.

I'm sorry you're facing this difficult situation. As others have mentioned, New York State does not allow unemployment benefits during strikes since it's considered a voluntary work stoppage. However, I wanted to add that you should document everything from this period - strike notices, union communications, dates, etc. This documentation could be helpful if your employment situation changes after the strike ends. Also, if you're a union member, make sure you understand all the benefits your union provides during strikes beyond just the strike fund - some locals have arrangements for healthcare continuation, legal aid, or connections to temporary work that doesn't conflict with strike activities. It's worth having a detailed conversation with your union representatives about all available resources. Hang in there - this is a challenging time but you're standing up for important workplace rights.

I'm new to this community but unfortunately facing this exact situation too - my employer just announced they're relocating from Binghamton to Ohio next summer. Reading through all these experiences has been such a relief! Like everyone else here, my HR department gave me the same misleading information about not qualifying for unemployment if I don't relocate, but it's clear from all your stories that this is just standard misinformation they use to discourage legitimate claims. I can't move because I'm currently my grandmother's primary caregiver - she has Alzheimer's and any disruption to her routine and medical care would be catastrophic for her condition. Plus, I'm in the middle of my master's degree program at a local university that I've been working toward for three years. Ohio is obviously way beyond that 50-mile rule everyone mentioned, and the documentation advice from @Dylan Campbell about keeping everything in writing is incredibly valuable. I've already started screenshotting all the relocation communications and plan to gather medical documentation about my grandmother's care needs. It's so frustrating that employers try these scare tactics, but I'm grateful to have found this thread before making any decisions. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with NYS Department of Labor - you're helping people like me understand our rights and not get taken advantage of during an already stressful situation!

I'm also new to this community and unfortunately going through the same situation - my employer just announced they're relocating from Rochester to Tennessee in a few months. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! Like so many others, my HR department used almost identical language about not qualifying for unemployment if I don't relocate, but it's clear from all these stories that this is just a standard script they use to discourage legitimate claims. I can't move because I'm in the middle of cancer treatment here and have an established team of specialists who know my case inside and out. Switching medical teams and insurance networks in the middle of treatment would be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Tennessee is obviously way beyond any reasonable commuting distance, and the advice about documenting everything has been so helpful - I'm going to start gathering all my medical records and treatment schedules as evidence of why relocation would create severe hardship. It's really frustrating that employers try to mislead workers about their rights during already stressful situations, but I'm so grateful to have found this thread. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with NYS Department of Labor - you're helping people like me understand that we actually have protections in these situations and don't have to just accept what HR tells us!

This whole system is rigged against workers. We strike for our rights and they cut us off from benefits. It's time for a complete overhaul!

I went through this exact situation a few months ago! ULP strikes are treated differently than regular economic strikes in NY. You CAN potentially qualify for unemployment benefits during a ULP strike because it's considered that your employer created the conditions that led to the work stoppage through unfair labor practices. Key things to remember: 1) File your claim ASAP - don't wait, 2) Make sure your union has filed the ULP charges with the NLRB, 3) Keep all documentation about the strike and ULP, 4) Be prepared to appeal if initially denied. The process took about 6 weeks for me but I did get approved. Hang in there! @Katherine Harris

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly valuable. One thing I wanted to add based on my research is that NYS DOL also considers constructive discharge situations - where working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. This might apply if you're dealing with things like significant reduction in hours/pay, being asked to do work that violates safety regulations, or persistent harassment that management won't address. The key is still documentation though. I've started sending follow-up emails to myself after every verbal interaction with supervisors, just summarizing what was discussed and any concerns raised. That way I have timestamps and records even if they won't put things in writing. Also wanted to mention that some county bar associations outside NYC offer similar free legal clinics - it's worth calling your local bar association to ask about employment law resources in your area.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has shared their experiences here - this has been incredibly educational for those of us facing similar workplace situations. The recurring theme I'm seeing is that successful claims require three key elements: thorough documentation, attempting formal resolution first, and having enough savings to survive the adjudication period. One additional resource I found helpful is the NYS Department of Labor's own website which has a section called "Quitting Your Job" under their unemployment insurance FAQ that outlines specific examples of what they consider good cause. It includes things like domestic violence situations, caring for ill family members, and workplace safety violations that employers won't correct. They also mention that you should apply for benefits immediately after quitting even if you're not sure you'll qualify - apparently waiting too long can hurt your case. Has anyone here had experience with the appeals process if your initial claim gets denied? I'm wondering how much additional documentation or evidence you can submit during an appeal versus what you initially filed with your claim.