Been strung along with promises of rehire for 18 months by NY hotel - can I claim unemployment while they keep 'renovating'?

Yes, you should absolutely file for unemployment! You are essentially laid off at this point - doesn't matter what they're calling it. NYS considers this a 'lack of work' situation which qualifies for benefits. I went through something similar with a restaurant chain that kept saying they were 'temporarily closed for renovations' for like 10 months.

I was in this EXACT situation last year! Hotel kept promising we'd reopen but it dragged on forever. I finally got thru to a real person at NY unemployment using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). Best money I ever spent tbh. The agent immediately approved my claim when I explained the situation. Talking to a live agent got my benefits going within a week. Here's a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

This is straight up constructive dismissal. They're hoping people will just quit so they don't have to pay unemployment. Classic move by hotels trying to get rid of long-term employees with higher pay/benefits. File for partial unemployment ASAP!

Funny how these hotels crying about "labor shortages" are the same ones pulling this kinda 💩 on loyal employees. I watched the Marriott in my area do the exact same thing - keep saying "just a few more weeks" for like a year and a half. The answer is YES, file for unemployment TODAY. You're eligible if they've reduced your hours to zero even if they haven't officially laid you off.

Former NY hotel HR here. This is a textbook reduction of hours claim. In NY, you're eligible for benefits if you're still "employed" but your employer has dramatically reduced your hours (including to zero). As long as you're ready and willing to work but your employer isn't providing hours, you qualify. Documentation is key. Save every communication where they promised to bring you back. Note every date they've pushed back reopening. They'll likely try to fight your claim by saying you're still employed, but the DOL will side with you. I'd also recommend: 1. File your initial claim immediately - you can only backdate benefits a limited time 2. When asked why you're filing, select "lack of work" or "reduction in hours" NOT "still employed" 3. Make sure you can prove how long it's been since your last paycheck 4. If they deny you (they might try), appeal immediately 5. If you're having trouble reaching someone at unemployment to help with your specific situation, I recommend using claimyr.com - it's the most reliable way to get through to a live agent who can actually help And start looking for new work. From what you described, it sounds like they're preparing to sell or permanently close. I've seen this pattern too many times.

Im in the exact same boat! I worked at the Plaza for 9 years and they closed for "renovations" in oct 2021. They kept saying theyd reopen in 3 months, then 6 months, and now they say "maybe next year" 🤡 I finally gave up and filed for unemployment in april and got approved right away. Don't wait like I did, ur just losing money.

the new york unemployment system is a joke. i had a similar situation last yr and spent WEEKS trying to talk to a human. finally got thru using claimyr.com - it was the only way i could get anyone on the phone. once i explained the situation they approved me right away.

Yep, my cousin works at a hotel in Manhattan and they pulled the same stunt during covid. Kept employees "on the books" but with zero hours for over a year so they could claim they didn't do layoffs. Total BS! He applied for unemployment and got it no problem.

They're 100% stringing you along. I bet they're trying to avoid paying severance to long-term employees. File for unemployment immediately - you're entitled to it when your hours are reduced to zero, even if they claim you're still employed.

Hotels are notorious for this bs. I had exact situation at the W downtown. After 14 months of "we're reopening soon" I finally gave up and filed for unemployment. Got approved instantly. Now the hotel's being converted to condos 🙃 Should have filed way earlier.

In New York, unemployment considers you laid off if you haven't been given hours in 4+ weeks, regardless of what your employer calls it. File now and make sure to explain the situation clearly. You've waited long enough!

wait i have an honest question... if your still technically employeed can you file for unemployment? i thought you had to be officially laid off or fired to qualify?

I've literally seen 3 hotels in NYC pull this exact move in the last 2 years. They'll string employees along forever if you let them. FILE NOW. Under NY law, if you haven't been scheduled for work for 4 consecutive weeks, you're effectively laid off regardless of what HR tells you.

something to keep in mind is that ny unemployment benefits are usually only like 50-60% of your regular income, so even when u get approved ur still gonna be struggling. start looking for a new job NOW, dont wait for these people to maybe possibly call u back someday. they've already shown they don't respect ur time.

Bruh they're 10000% selling that hotel. Same thing happened where I worked. Kept us on the hook for almost 2 years with "renovation" excuses. File for unemployment TODAY and start job hunting.