Does unemployment affect the employer when I file with NYS Department of Labor?

Your employer pays unemployment insurance taxes regardless of whether you file or not. When you file a claim, it may affect their experience rating which could impact their future tax rates, but that's part of the system they're already paying into. You earned those benefits through your work, so don't feel guilty about filing.

Employers pay into the unemployment insurance fund through payroll taxes. When you file with NYS Department of Labor, the benefits come from this fund, not directly from your employer's pocket. However, if they have multiple claims, their experience rating can increase their future UI tax rate. But honestly, that's how the system is designed to work.

The employer will receive a notice from NYS Department of Labor about your claim and they have the right to contest it if they believe you were terminated for misconduct or quit without good cause. If they don't contest it within 10 days, the claim usually gets approved automatically. Most employers don't contest legitimate claims.

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when my employer contested my claim and I needed to provide additional information. Kept getting busy signals for weeks. Finally used this 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 showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to get my questions answered.

Just file already! You paid into this system through your paychecks. Don't worry about some business owner's feelings when you need to pay rent and buy groceries.