Does NYS Department of Labor unemployment call your job when you file a claim?

NYS Department of Labor doesn't typically call employers just to notify them you filed. They'll send your former employer a separation notice to verify the reason you left, but that's standard procedure. For your current part-time job, as long as you report those hours and wages when you file your weekly claims, there shouldn't be any reason for them to contact that employer.

yeah they dont call unless theres a problem or something doesnt add up. i collected for 6 months and nobody ever called my old job

The only time NYS Department of Labor would contact your current employer is if there's an issue with your claim that requires verification - like if you report conflicting information or if they need to clarify your work status. Since you're being upfront about the part-time work, you should be fine. Just make sure you understand the partial benefit calculation so you know what to expect for your weekly benefit amount.

I had a similar situation last year and honestly the whole process was way less scary than I thought. NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty helpful when I called to ask questions about reporting my part-time income. The key is just being honest about everything from the start.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask these questions directly, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was way easier than sitting on hold for hours trying to get through myself.

Just make sure you keep good records of your part-time hours and pay stubs. NYS Department of Labor might not call your employer, but they could always request documentation later if they audit your claim or if something seems off in your weekly certifications.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - got laid off from my full-time job but kept a part-time gig that was only giving me about 12 hours a week. NYS Department of Labor never contacted my part-time employer at all. The most important thing is being completely transparent when you file your weekly claims about the hours you worked and money you earned. I actually ended up getting partial benefits for several months while I looked for another full-time position, and it really helped bridge the gap financially. Don't let fear of them contacting your current employer stop you from filing - you're entitled to these benefits and as long as you're honest about your situation, you should be fine.