Does unemployment cost the employer when I file with NYS Department of Labor?
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment after getting laid off last week, but I'm worried about how it might affect my former employer. I had a good relationship with my boss and don't want to hurt the company financially if unemployment benefits come directly out of their pocket. Does the NYS Department of Labor charge employers when their former employees collect UI? Should I feel guilty about filing? I really need the money but don't want to screw over a small business that was already struggling.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
Yes, employers do pay into the unemployment insurance system, but it's not a direct cost when you file. Employers pay quarterly taxes to the NYS Department of Labor based on their payroll and their experience rating. Your claim might affect their future tax rate, but they're already paying into the system regardless. You earned this benefit through your work - don't feel guilty about using it.
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Miguel Castro
•Thanks, that makes me feel better about filing. So they won't get a bill right when I submit my claim?
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Connor Byrne
The employer pays unemployment taxes whether you file or not. It's calculated as a percentage of wages up to a certain amount per employee per year. If they have more claims, their rate might go up when it's recalculated, but that's spread out over time. You getting laid off already affects their experience rating - filing for benefits doesn't make it worse.
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Yara Elias
•exactly this! the damage to their rate already happened when they laid you off, not when you file
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QuantumQuasar
I felt the same way when I got laid off from a startup I loved. Turns out my old boss actually told me to file immediately because that's what the unemployment system is for. Companies budget for these taxes and understand it's part of doing business. File your claim ASAP because there's a waiting period and you want to get your weekly claims started.
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Miguel Castro
•That's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I'll file today.
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Keisha Jackson
Just so you know, if you're having trouble getting through to the NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your claim, 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 showing how it works. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals when I needed to check on my adjudication status.
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Paolo Moretti
•never heard of that but the phone lines are definitely impossible to get through to
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Amina Diop
THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY! Don't fall for it. You paid into this system with every paycheck through your employer's contributions. It's YOUR money that you earned. The fact that employers try to make workers feel bad about filing is just another way they try to avoid their responsibilities.
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QuantumQuasar
•While I agree workers shouldn't feel guilty, most small business owners aren't trying to manipulate anyone. They're just dealing with the costs of running a business.
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Yara Elias
def file, you earned it and they expect people to use UI when they get laid off. thats literally what its for
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