You may have left your job because your employer fired you or laid you off. If so, learn which. They are not the same and this may affect whether you qualify for unemployment benefits.
Laid off
If your employer is not replacing you, we generally consider you laid off. You may still be able to get unemployment benefits. You need to meet basic eligibility requirements.
Your employer may have laid you off if:
- They have no work available or went out of business.
- Your assignment ended or they eliminated your position.
- You need to attend temporary classroom apprenticeship training.
- You are a seasonal employee and the season ended.
- They temporarily shut down work. Reasons could include weather, materials delay, natural disaster, maintenance.
- They told us you are on furlough or standby.
Fired
If your employer removed you from your job with good cause, we generally consider you fired. For example: They fired you for your performance or behavior.
You may qualify for benefits if your employer fired you for no fault of your own. For example: You did not have the skills to do the job.
You may not qualify for benefits if your employer fired you for misconduct or gross misconduct.
Fired for misconduct
Your employer may have fired you for misconduct if you deliberately or maliciously disregarded your employer or co-workers. Examples:
- Insubordination.
- Dishonesty related to your employment.
- Repeated and inexcusable lateness or absences.
- Deliberately violating or disregarding the standards of behavior your employer has a right to expect.
- Violating a company rule or collective bargaining agreement.
Misconduct can also include:
- Breaking the law.
- Deliberate acts that provoke violence or illegal actions.
- Carelessness or neglect that caused, or would likely cause, serious bodily harm to your employer or co-workers.
- Carelessness or neglect so bad or frequent that you showed intentional or substantial disregard for your employer.
Fired for gross misconduct
Gross misconduct is more serious than misconduct. Examples of gross misconduct include:
Crime in connection with work
You committed a crime in connection with your work. You then either admitted it or a criminal court convicted you. For example:
- Embezzlement or theft of property.
- Purposeful destruction of the employer's property.
Disregard for your employer or fellow employees
Your conduct at work showed a flagrant and wanton disregard for your employer or a fellow employee. For example:
- Installing a secret camera in fitting rooms.
- Stealing a patient's identification.
Penalties for misconduct and gross misconduct
If you committed misconduct or gross misconduct related to your work:
- We will deny your benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week your employer fired you.
- To receive benefits, you will need to earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount. The money you earn needs to be from a job covered by unemployment insurance.
For gross misconduct, we also remove wages and hours from your unemployment records. This may cause you to not be eligible for future unemployment benefits.