Can get unemployment if quit - NYS Department of Labor eligibility question
I'm thinking about quitting my job because my manager has been making the workplace really hostile and I'm stressed out all the time. But I need to know if I can get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor if I quit voluntarily? I've heard different things from people and I'm really confused about the rules. I've been working at this company for 2 years and paying into the system so I should qualify right? What counts as a good reason to quit and still get benefits?
14 comments
Join the conversation
Gael Robinson
You can potentially get unemployment benefits if you quit for 'good cause' under NYS Department of Labor rules. Hostile work environment might qualify, but you need to document everything. The key is proving you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. You'll need evidence like emails, witness statements, HR complaints you filed, etc. NYS Department of Labor will investigate your case during adjudication.
0 coins
Summer Green
•What kind of documentation do I need exactly? I haven't filed any formal complaints with HR yet but I have some text messages from coworkers who witnessed things.
0 coins
Edward McBride
i quit my last job and got denied unemployment initially but then won my appeal. took forever though like 3 months total
0 coins
Darcy Moore
•What was your reason for quitting? I'm dealing with something similar and trying to figure out if it's worth the hassle of appealing.
0 coins
Dana Doyle
The NYS Department of Labor is very strict about voluntary quits. You need to exhaust all other options first - talk to HR, request a transfer, etc. Document everything in writing. If you just quit without trying to resolve it through proper channels, they'll likely deny your claim. Good cause includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties, or reduction in pay.
0 coins
Summer Green
•So I should try going to HR first even though I don't think they'll do anything? My company is pretty small and HR is basically just the owner's wife.
0 coins
Dana Doyle
•Yes, you need to show you made a good faith effort to resolve the issue. Even if HR doesn't help, having that documentation shows NYS Department of Labor you tried all reasonable alternatives before quitting.
0 coins
Liam Duke
I had to deal with getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I quit my job last year for medical reasons. Calling them directly was impossible - always busy signals or getting disconnected. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful since I could actually talk to someone about my specific situation.
0 coins
Manny Lark
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about money if I quit my job.
0 coins
Liam Duke
•It was worth it for me to avoid the stress of trying to get through on my own. Much better than spending hours calling and never reaching anyone.
0 coins
Rita Jacobs
The unemployment system in this state is ridiculous!! They make it so hard to get benefits even when you've been paying into it for years. My friend quit because her boss was sexually harassing her and they STILL gave her a hard time about it. Had to get a lawyer involved just to get what she deserved.
0 coins
Edward McBride
•thats awful! the whole system needs to be reformed
0 coins
Manny Lark
Wait I'm confused - if you quit can you still file weekly claims while waiting for the decision? Or do you have to wait until after adjudication is complete?
0 coins
Gael Robinson
•You should file your initial claim right away and continue filing weekly claims even during adjudication. If you're eventually approved, you'll get retroactive payment for those weeks. If you wait to file, you could lose out on benefits for those weeks.
0 coins