NYS Department of Labor - which type of unemployment is voluntary and can I still qualify?
I'm really confused about something. I left my job at a retail store last month because my manager was making the work environment really hostile and I couldn't take it anymore. When I went to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor, I saw different categories and I'm not sure which applies to me. I've heard people talk about 'voluntary' unemployment but I don't really understand what that means or if it affects my benefits. Can someone explain which type of unemployment is considered voluntary and whether I can still get benefits? I'm worried I made a mistake by quitting instead of waiting to get fired.
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Leslie Parker
Voluntary unemployment typically refers to when you quit your job without what NYS Department of Labor considers 'good cause.' However, if you quit due to hostile work environment or unsafe conditions, that might qualify as good cause. You'll need to provide documentation of the hostile environment when you file your claim. The key is proving you had no reasonable alternative but to quit.
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Freya Ross
•I do have some text messages from coworkers about the manager's behavior, would that count as documentation?
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Sergio Neal
ugh this happened to me too! i quit my job because my boss was terrible and nys department of labor initially denied my claim. but then i appealed it and won because i had proof of the harassment. you should definitely apply anyway even if you quit
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Freya Ross
•How long did the appeal process take? I'm already struggling to pay my bills.
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Savanna Franklin
Actually, there are several scenarios where quitting is considered 'good cause' by NYS Department of Labor: unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, or health issues. The burden is on you to prove good cause during the adjudication process. If you can't prove good cause, then yes, it's considered voluntary separation and you'd be disqualified.
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Juan Moreno
•Wait, so if I quit because they cut my hours from 40 to 15 per week, that would be good cause? I thought any quitting was automatic disqualification.
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Amy Fleming
Here's what really helped me when I was dealing with NYS Department of Labor after quitting - I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to a real agent who could explain my options. There's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks and this got me connected in like 20 minutes. The agent was able to walk me through exactly what documentation I needed for my good cause claim.
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Freya Ross
•Is that service legit? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for two weeks and can never get through.
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Amy Fleming
•Yeah it's totally legitimate, they just help you get through the phone queue faster. Still talking to real NYS Department of Labor agents, just without the endless hold times.
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Alice Pierce
just apply anyway and see what happens, worst case they say no and you appeal it
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Esteban Tate
The whole system is backwards if you ask me. You can get fired for poor performance and get benefits immediately, but if you quit because your boss is making your life hell, suddenly you're the problem. Makes no sense.
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Sergio Neal
•exactly! like we're supposed to just stay in toxic situations forever or we lose our safety net
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Leslie Parker
To be clear - 'voluntary unemployment' means you initiated the separation from employment. But having good cause changes everything. File your claim, select that you quit, and when they ask why, be very detailed about the hostile work environment. Gather any evidence you have - emails, texts, witness statements, HR complaints you may have filed. The adjudication process will review all of this.
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Freya Ross
•Thank you, this is really helpful. I'm going to start gathering everything I can find and file my claim this week.
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