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Job relocated unemployment eligibility question?

Hi last month the company I was working at finally relocated 1 hour + away. Months before the move I specifically told management that it would be impracticable for me to commute to the new location and that I wasn’t quitting. I even stayed on to the very last day to help with the move while the other employees and equipment was already at the new location. Now I have an unemployment claim which my ex employer is protesting saying I quit. Can anyone tell me my rights regarding valid reasons for leaving an employer, and specifically an employer relocating too far away? I am in the New York Metro area.

you can quit and draw benefits if you had cause to quit.
the company relocating is considered in a “significant change” and cause to quit. just because they offer you a job dos not mean you have to accept it (if the new job is significantly different).

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/ui_index.shtm

FILE, the employer trying to fight it does not matter and should not bother you or effect your decision in any way. most likely you will be approved as long as you meet the other criteria. employers generally fight claims and will appeal if they don’t prevail at first but that does not mean you won’t win. fighting the claim and appealing the first decision is just how the game is played. many employers do not have the documentation or just cause to win but they count on the employee giving up or getting bad advise (such as you CAN”T file if you quit, no where does the law say that) so they always fight the claims and always appeal.

if you were going to continue insurance coverage under COBRA quiting has no bearing on that decision. coverage under COBRA can only be discontinued if you ELECT to discontinue it or elect to decline the coverage at separation (you have a minimum of 30 days to make the decision). COBRA is available so that no matter why you have a change in employment status you still will have medical insurance (for up to 18 months)

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/FAQs/faq_compliance_cobra.html

pt 1/3 Peter Schiff discusses gold, the US Dollar & unemployment on KWN