Can u file for unemployment if u quit - NYS Department of Labor eligibility rules?
so i quit my job last week because my manager was making the workplace really hostile and i couldn't take it anymore. now im wondering if i can still file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor or if quitting automatically disqualifies me? i heard there might be exceptions but not sure what they are. has anyone been in this situation before?
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Mateo Warren
Generally, quitting your job does disqualify you from unemployment benefits, but NYS Department of Labor does recognize "good cause" exceptions. This includes situations like workplace harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or domestic violence situations. You'll need to document everything when you file your claim and be prepared to explain your circumstances during the adjudication process.
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Lydia Bailey
•thank you! i did save some emails from my manager that were pretty inappropriate. should i include those when i file?
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Sofia Price
Yes, definitely save all documentation! When you file your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website, you'll need to select "quit" as your separation reason and then provide detailed explanations. The system will likely flag your claim for adjudication, which means they'll review your case individually. Be very specific about the hostile work environment - dates, witnesses, any complaints you made to HR, etc.
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Alice Coleman
•How long does the adjudication process usually take for quit cases? I'm in a similar situation and worried about how long I'll be without income.
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Sofia Price
•It varies, but typically 2-4 weeks for quit cases since they need to investigate. Sometimes they'll contact your former employer too.
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Owen Jenkins
ugh the system is so frustrating when you quit even for legitimate reasons!! i quit because of harassment too and it took FOREVER for them to approve my claim. make sure you have EVERYTHING documented because they will ask for proof of everything you say happened.
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Lydia Bailey
•did they end up approving yours? this whole process seems so stressful
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Owen Jenkins
•yes but it took 6 weeks and i had to provide like 20 pages of documentation. worth it in the end though
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Lilah Brooks
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status or get more information about the adjudication process, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I was stuck in adjudication limbo and couldn't get answers about my quit situation.
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Jackson Carter
•never heard of that before, does it actually work? the phone lines are always busy
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Lilah Brooks
•Yeah it worked for me - got through to someone within a few hours instead of trying for days on my own.
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Kolton Murphy
just want to add that even if you qualify for benefits after quitting, you still have to meet all the other requirements like doing job searches and being available for work. don't forget about that part!
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Dylan Cooper
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago - quit due to a hostile manager who was creating an unbearable work environment. The key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor takes "constructive discharge" seriously if you can prove it. Document EVERYTHING - not just the obvious stuff like inappropriate emails or comments, but also things like sudden schedule changes designed to make you quit, being excluded from meetings, having your responsibilities stripped away, etc. I kept a daily log of incidents with dates and times. It really helped my case during the adjudication interview. The whole process was stressful but I did get approved eventually. Start your claim as soon as possible even while you're gathering documentation - the sooner you file, the sooner your potential benefit period starts.
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