I want to know if I can get unemployment if I quit my job in Massachusetts
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I want to know if I can get unemployment if I quit my job in Massachusetts
I have been a pharmacist at Walgreens for 23 years .
I was just told that my Job location would be
switching and it will now take double the time to
commute. I am being told I have no other options. I
have 4 children and already work full time. I dont
want to commute an extra 1 hour 5 times a week.
Asked on November 29, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
As a general rule, if an employee voluntarily quits their job they are ineligable for unemployment compenstion. That having been said, if an employee is transferred to a new location and their commute is unreasonably increased, then they may claim "constuctive termination". This means that for all intents and purposes they have been terminated from their employment since the increased commute would constitute a hardship. Accordingly, such an employee woud be entitled to collect unemployment benefits. That having been said, you'd have to demonstrate that the new commute would in fact be a hardship, meaning that most people in your position would quit as well. So, be prepared to demonstrate that you investigated possible solutions such as carpooling or public transportation before leaving your job.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
As a general rule, if an employee voluntarily quits their job they are ineligable for unemployment compenstion. That having been said, if an employee is transferred to a new location and their commute is unreasonably increased, then they may claim "constuctive termination". This means that for all intents and purposes they have been terminated from their employment since the increased commute would constitute a hardship. Accordingly, such an employee woud be entitled to collect unemployment benefits. That having been said, you'd have to demonstrate that the new commute would in fact be a hardship, meaning that most people in your position would quit as well. So, be prepared to demonstrate that you investigated possible solutions such as carpooling or public transportation before leaving your job.
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