Can I get NYS Department of Labor unemployment if I put in 2 weeks notice?

Generally speaking, if you voluntarily quit your job, you won't qualify for unemployment benefits unless you can prove you had 'good cause' for leaving. NYS Department of Labor defines good cause pretty strictly - things like unsafe working conditions, harassment that your employer failed to address after you reported it, or significant changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement. A toxic manager alone usually isn't enough unless you can document specific incidents and show you tried to resolve it through proper channels first.

I quit my last job because of a horrible boss and got denied for unemployment. The adjudication process took forever and they said I didn't meet the good cause requirements. You really need to have tried to fix the situation first through HR or management.

Before you quit, document everything! Keep records of incidents, emails, any witnesses. File complaints with HR in writing so you have a paper trail. If your employer doesn't address the issues after you've given them a chance to fix it, that strengthens your case for good cause. Also look into whether what you're experiencing might qualify as constructive dismissal - that's when working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit.

honestly the whole system is rigged against workers anyway. they make it so hard to get benefits even when you deserve them. i tried calling NYS Department of Labor like 50 times when i had issues with my claim and could never get through to anyone who could actually help

Just want to say I feel for you - toxic workplaces are the worst and it's unfair that you have to choose between your mental health and financial security.

My cousin quit her job last year for similar reasons and she said the key was proving she tried to work things out first. She had to show emails to HR, meeting notes, stuff like that. Even then it was touch and go during the adjudication process but she eventually got approved. The whole thing took like 6 weeks though so definitely don't quit unless you have some savings to tide you over while they decide.