What is good cause for unemployment NYS Department of Labor - need help understanding requirements

Good cause for quitting includes several situations under NYS Department of Labor rules. Workplace harassment definitely qualifies if you can document it properly. You'll need written evidence like emails, witness statements, or HR complaints. Other good cause reasons include unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, or health issues that make continuing work impossible. The key is having documentation to prove your case during the adjudication process.

i quit my last job because my boss was awful too but nys department of labor denied my claim. they said i didnt try to resolve it first. make sure you exhaust all your options before quitting or they might not approve your ui benefits

This is such a frustrating situation! I'm dealing with something similar where my manager keeps changing my schedule last minute and cutting my hours. Is that considered good cause? I'm a single parent and the unpredictable schedule makes it impossible to arrange childcare. I'm worried about quitting but also can't keep missing work because I can't find a babysitter on 2 hours notice.

If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to get clarification on your specific situation, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo showing how it works (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI). It was really helpful when I needed to discuss my good cause documentation before filing my claim. Sometimes you need to talk to a real person to understand how your particular circumstances fit the rules.

good cause is basically when your job becomes impossible to keep doing. toxic boss counts but you gotta prove it happened

I went through a similar situation last year with NYS Department of Labor and was approved for benefits after quitting due to workplace harassment. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I had documented dates, times, and details of each incident, 2) I had email evidence showing I tried to address it through proper channels, and 3) I could show the harassment was affecting my work performance and mental health. Since you already reported to HR twice and have screenshots, you're in a good position. Just make sure when you file your claim that you clearly explain how you tried to resolve the situation first and why continuing to work became unreasonable. The adjudicator will want to see that you made good faith efforts before quitting. Good luck!

I'm sorry you're going through this situation - workplace harassment is incredibly stressful. Based on what you've described, you actually have a strong case for good cause. The fact that you've documented everything and made multiple HR reports shows you tried to resolve it through proper channels, which is exactly what NYS Department of Labor looks for. The hostile work environment with inappropriate comments and discriminatory treatment (different deadlines than other employees) definitely qualifies. Just make sure when you file your claim that you organize all your evidence chronologically - the screenshots, HR complaint records, and any witness information if you have it. The adjudicator will want to see that a reasonable person in your situation would have felt they had no choice but to quit. Don't let fear of denial keep you in a toxic situation when you have solid documentation.

I've been through a similar situation and want to emphasize that you should also keep detailed records of how this harassment is affecting your health and ability to do your job. NYS Department of Labor considers the overall impact on your work performance and wellbeing. If you're losing sleep, having anxiety, or your work quality is suffering because of the hostile environment, document that too. Also, if you have any coworkers who witnessed the inappropriate behavior, see if they'd be willing to provide statements. Having multiple sources of evidence really strengthens your case. The fact that you've already gone to HR twice shows you exhausted internal remedies, which is crucial. Don't stay in a situation that's damaging your mental health when you have solid grounds for a good cause claim.

I'm new to this community but went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago. What really helped me was keeping a daily log of incidents - not just the big things, but every uncomfortable interaction, every unreasonable demand, every time I felt singled out. NYS Department of Labor adjudicators really appreciate seeing patterns of behavior over time. Also, if you have any medical documentation showing stress-related symptoms (doctor visits, prescriptions for anxiety/sleep issues), include that too. It shows the tangible impact on your health. From what you've described with the documented harassment, HR complaints, and discriminatory treatment, you have a solid good cause case. The hardest part is often just making the decision to leave, but your wellbeing is worth more than staying in a toxic environment. Trust your documentation and don't let fear paralyze you.

I'm dealing with a workplace harassment situation too and your post really resonates with me. From everything I've researched about NYS Department of Labor good cause requirements, you seem to have exactly what they're looking for - documented incidents, proof you tried to resolve it through HR, and evidence of discriminatory treatment. The fact that you're being given impossible deadlines while others get reasonable ones is a clear pattern they'll recognize. I've been hesitant to quit my own toxic situation because I was worried about the financial risk, but reading through all these responses from people who successfully navigated the system gives me hope. It sounds like as long as you organize your evidence well and can show you exhausted internal remedies (which you clearly did with two HR reports), NYS Department of Labor recognizes that no one should have to endure a hostile work environment. Your mental health and wellbeing matter more than staying in a job that's destroying you.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - workplace harassment is so draining and stressful. Based on what you've described, you actually have a very strong case for good cause with NYS Department of Labor. The combination of documented hostile behavior, discriminatory treatment with the impossible deadlines, and your two attempts to resolve it through HR should definitely meet their requirements. I went through something similar about a year ago and was approved for benefits. The adjudicator told me that having evidence of trying to work within the system first (like your HR reports) was crucial, even if HR didn't actually help. Make sure when you file your claim that you emphasize how the harassment escalated despite your efforts to address it properly, and how it became impossible to continue working effectively in that environment. Don't let fear of denial keep you trapped - your documentation sounds solid and your mental health is worth protecting.