What reasons qualify for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. My manager basically forced me to quit by making my work environment impossible - cutting my hours to almost nothing, giving me tasks way outside my job description, and being generally hostile. I know you can't usually get UI if you quit, but I've heard there are exceptions? What reasons actually qualify you for unemployment in New York? I don't want to waste time filing if I'm not eligible.
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Mateo Gonzalez
You might qualify under 'constructive dismissal' if you can prove your employer created intolerable working conditions that forced you to quit. NYS Department of Labor looks at things like significant reduction in hours, hostile work environment, unsafe conditions, or major changes to your job duties. You'll need documentation though - emails, texts, witness statements, anything showing the pattern of behavior.
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Nia Harris
•I do have some emails where my manager was pretty unprofessional. Should I file even if I'm not 100% sure I qualify?
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Aisha Ali
The main qualifying reasons are: laid off due to lack of work, fired for reasons other than misconduct, reduction in hours, company closure, and yes - quitting for 'good cause' which includes what happened to you. NYS Department of Labor will investigate your claim during adjudication to determine if your reasons meet their criteria.
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Ethan Moore
•What counts as misconduct though? I was fired for being late a few times but it was because of train delays
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Yuki Nakamura
I had a similar situation last year. Had to quit because my boss kept changing my schedule at the last minute and wouldn't accommodate my childcare needs even though I'd been there 3 years. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim after about 6 weeks of adjudication. The key is showing you tried to resolve the issue with your employer first before quitting.
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Nia Harris
•Did you have to provide a lot of documentation during the adjudication process?
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Yuki Nakamura
•Yes, they wanted emails, my original job description, records of when I tried to discuss the scheduling conflicts with HR. It was a lot but worth it when I got approved.
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StarSurfer
Honestly the whole system is set up to deny claims. Even if you have a legitimate reason they'll find some way to disqualify you. I got fired for 'poor performance' after 8 years with the company and they still denied my claim initially.
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Aisha Ali
•Did you appeal the denial? Poor performance usually isn't considered misconduct unless it was willful.
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Carmen Reyes
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status or get questions answered, I used this 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. Was way easier than trying to call myself and getting hung up on constantly.
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Nia Harris
•Thanks, I'll check that out if I run into issues with my claim
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Andre Moreau
just file anyway, worst case they say no but at least you'll know for sure
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