How do you quit your job and still recieve unemployment benefits?

[Guest jstlooknthx]

Once again I am coming to this esteemed panel of experts to pick your worldly brains. It's time for me to leave my job. The conditions have become unbearable this year. I googled this question and it seems my situation does not warrant a justifiable quit. It's a major personality clash with a new superior this year. I have made many attempts to forge on anyway but I realize it's hopeless. She is hostile towards me because I'm older and have more experience. The staff is loyal to me and I am in her way. I have tried a few meetings with HR and she has a great game face with them. I got to get out. I can't sleep. I've gone into a deep depression. I have to man up and jump. Thing is, I'm in my fifties now and the job market is scary to say the least even for a man half my age. I'm a little lost on this cloudy day today. I need to hear other perspectives. Thanks.

[instudiocity]

Once again I am coming to this esteemed panel of experts to pick your worldly brains. It's time for me to leave my job. The conditions have become unbearable this year. I googled this question and it seems my situation does not warrant a justifiable quit. It's a major personality clash with a new superior this year. I have made many attempts to forge on anyway but I realize it's hopeless. She is hostile towards me because I'm older and have more experience. The staff is loyal to me and I am in her way. I have tried a few meetings with HR and she has a great game face with them. I got to get out. I can't sleep. I've gone into a deep depression. I have to man up and jump. Thing is, I'm in my fifties now and the job market is scary to say the least even for a man half my age. I'm a little lost on this cloudy day today. I need to hear other perspectives. Thanks.

 

Unfortunately quitting puts you down a rung on the unemployment pay scale. Termination against your will is the fastest way to draw unemployment. But not know what state you're living in, I don't know if unemployment payments will be sufficient for you to live.

 

Also, what you're describing is more like work-related stress disability. I'd suggest you go to HR and have a meeting with them without the WWW (wicked witch of the west) telling them you're suffering from stress, loss of sleep and depression. Tell them that you aren't the kind of person to fall by the wayside and draw stress disability and that it's in their best interest and yours to assist you either with and internal transfer or outplacement. If they are good, they will already have strategies with these options.

 

Feel better, remember in the long run the WWW dies when the whole house falls on her.

[Guest Zack]

Once again I am coming to this esteemed panel of experts to pick your worldly brains. It's time for me to leave my job. The conditions have become unbearable this year. I googled this question and it seems my situation does not warrant a justifiable quit. It's a major personality clash with a new superior this year. I have made many attempts to forge on anyway but I realize it's hopeless. She is hostile towards me because I'm older and have more experience. The staff is loyal to me and I am in her way. I have tried a few meetings with HR and she has a great game face with them. I got to get out. I can't sleep. I've gone into a deep depression. I have to man up and jump. Thing is, I'm in my fifties now and the job market is scary to say the least even for a man half my age. I'm a little lost on this cloudy day today. I need to hear other perspectives. Thanks.

 

Don't jump ship without a parachute because unemployment benefits will be denied to you if you simply get up and quit. For whatever reason, unless you can demonstrate harassment or wrong doing by the company.

 

Perhaps a transfer request to another dept or position within the same company is possible?

 

On the other hand if a company wants you out, for whatever reason, most states are at will employment friendly, and the firm will have little problem justifying a termination/separation if they choose to do so. Especially in this climate

 

It's possible they might be making your life miserable intentionally just so that you will quit, which if you do, you'll be denied UC.

 

However, as long as you are let go, through no fault of your own - ie, gross negligence, incompetence, severe breach of company policy - you'll be fine collecting benefits.

 

Suck it up and stick it out for as long as you can while you're searching for a new position. It will always be better searching for a new job while you already have one.

 

ALWAYS! Good Luck!

[doitb4ugo]

Jstlooknthx, Your story sounds just like me a year ago...New boss at work..have been in the same job for 15 years and the new guy had no expertise at what I or my team did. He was a new age manager type who thought he could manage everthing without knowing much about how things were actually done. I went into a deep depression as well last winter and it became almost impossible to function. I know I could not find a comparable job in the market...I am 60 years old...I calle din sick alot to avoid work and became an empty shell at work...I stoped doing almost anything except what I was asked to do and put in mo effort beyond required. I did not think I could make it...During late spring my boss got a new boss and things changed a little, followed by him being replaced in the summer so that I now have the best boss of my career in this company..so thing have actually changed for the better...something I did not forsee or think possible...During that bad period of about 1 and a half years, I ended up on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds to get through it....My personal life had become abasket case due to the bad work environment....Many of my friends would ask if the old me was coming back...I told them that that perosn was broken and would probably never return....

 

I have a better outlook now and am slowly getting of the meds to see if I can exist without them...I'm keeping my fingers crossed..

 

You certainly are not alone...During my worst times I met many guys who were suffering the same thing...I hope that like me, your situation changes for the better over time....I my company, management changes are a regular occurance so waiting for different circumstances was possible...the reason I did not leave my job strangley enough was that if I could not get a comparable job, I could not afford to hire escorts....something i could nto give up...

 

hang in there and if you would like to talk or vent, please feel free to PM or e-mail me....If nothing else I can always listen...

 

Wishing you the best,

 

P.S. I should tell you that a number of guys on the forum were a huge help during this time..I joined the forum and startedhiring just as the depression was beginning...a contributing factor for this "straight" guy".

[Guest greatness]

Have you talked to her boss about it? If she is creating a hostile environment at the work place then she should leave, not you. If you can prove that she is hostile towards you because of your age and experience then she needs to be disciplined by the company. If the staff is loyal to you then use that to your advantage. I suggest you to fight her till the end. There is nothing wrong for you to fight for your rights. If you can prove that her hostile actions decrease your productivity and that of others then you will probably win. I don't know the exact situation but I hope you don't give up. Thank you for your hard work everyday! It makes the world a better place to live. It will get better. Kisses and hugs..

[josephga]

okay for years i was told you couldn't quit a job and get unemployment benefits however I found out in 1994 that isn't always the case. I had a manager that was a bitch str8 out of hell. In 3 years i was there this women verbally abused a number of employees to the point of quieting. I started having problems with her as well so i started documenting everything. I found former employees that left because of her and i had them put in writing their story's. She must have got suspicious and the day she went on a one weeks vacation she told the assistant manager to document every thing i say and i would be fired when she got back for insubordination and to lock the office so i couldn't get to the fax. because she felt i had some big time dirt. BIG mistake because this assistant was very ambitious wanting that managers job. I got to that fax machine an faxed everything i had to the home office then i quit. that following Monday i applied for unemployment and got it.. why? according to the unemployment office the job was no longer what it was when i first started. also in my case the company didn't fight it. after the manger returned from vacation there was a surprise in store. Waiting was someone from cooperate office. she was fired on the spot. apparently she found out id faxed home office she made the comment to 3 people that if she wwas fired she would have me killed..

[Guest greatness]

Zack I love your advice. Thanks~~~ Kisses and hugs~~

[Guest Zack]

jstlooknthx, I'll also add this. Stop looking at 50 as being the demise of your employment opportunities because of your age. In many instances, it can be just the opposite.

 

This is all about you. Your skills, your knowledge, your abilities and your drive to develop excellence and results within the workplace and to take that new workplace to new levels of achievement and accomplishment.

 

50 is the perfect age to walk into an interview and kill them with your history of accomplishments and your foresight into their future success.

 

Nobody will give a rats ass if your 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 - as long as you can deliver and action what they need and currently do not have.

 

This is your time to make a move. But do it smartly and without emotion. Emotion will bite you in the ass every time.

 

Don't quit! suck it up and stick it out until you find something else or they action your separation - which will in most cases, barring what I mentioned above, assure you of your UC benefits.

[Guest jstlooknthx]

Wow. You guys are great. Thanks. I mean it. I feel very alone in all this. I actually did contact the BIG boss. At my last meeting with HR and the WWW I basically laid it all out on the table. I told WWW to her face that I found her negativity and passive aggressive behaviour has distroyed the morale of my staff. She had showed no integrity or respect for me or our business. I then told HR that I have tried many different approaches to get along with this new regime and now I'm done. If they choose to go with WWW than I asked for the company to at least have the decency to give me a severence package and leave under a mutual aggreement. Next week we are all meeting again to discuss what's next. I am stressed to my limit. Today I am ill but I need to go in anyway. Unlike most of the posters here I don't even hire, so I don't have that stress relief either! ; )

[Guest Zack]

Mutual agreements for separation can be good things too. But they must be negotiated from a place (your place) of strength.

 

They can - and should contain many things. positive References, separation package including continued salary for a designated period of time (3 months) continued healthcare benefits (not COBRA - initially) 401 considerations, and the like.

 

Focusing on passive aggressive behavior and the faults which you see in this new person are not, and will not, be viewed as positions of strength (yours) when this meeting/negotiating takes place.

 

A prosperous and successful separation for all parties concerned is when the emotion and name calling is left to absence and the value and demonstration of your past worth and performance become the primary topic of discussion and value.

 

If you negotiate as an adult and from a prospective and position of self-respect, self -worth and past-performance and past-value to the company, you'll more likely walk away with something of value, as apposed to a 2 week pay severance and a good riddance from those in attendance.

[Guest Zack]

I told WWW to her face that I found her negativity and passive aggressive behaviour has distroyed the morale of my staff. She had showed no integrity or respect for me or our business. I then told HR that I have tried many different approaches to get along with this new regime and now I'm done.

 

And with that expression, to those individuals, jstlooknthx, you may have just screwed the pooch.

 

regardless, you still have the opportunity to negotiate a departure for yourself that serves yourself well.

 

Just be calm, be rational, and the most important thing to be right now is intellectual. For yourself.

[instudiocity]

Mutual agreements for separation can be good things too. But they must be negotiated from a place (your place) of strength.

 

They can - and should contain many things. positive References, separation package including continued salary for a designated period of time (3 months) continued healthcare benefits (not COBRA - initially) 401 considerations, and the like.

 

Focusing on passive aggressive behavior and the faults which you see in this new person are not, and will not, be viewed as positions of strength (yours) when this meeting/negotiating takes place.

 

A prosperous and successful separation for all parties concerned is when the emotion and name calling is left to absence and the value and demonstration of your past worth and performance become the primary topic of discussion and value.

 

If you negotiate as an adult and from a prospective and position of self-respect, self -worth and past-performance and past-value to the company, you'll more likely walk away with something of value, as apposed to a 2 week pay severance and a good riddance from those in attendance.

 

Good advice. I'd add outplacement service to the severance package. If your current employer will pay for outplacement service, then they can get you off their tit.

[Guest greatness]

Aww

 

You can meet me for free. Although it might gravely add to your stress . Anyways, good luck next week. I hope it works out. Kisses and hugs~~

 

Unlike most of the posters here I don't even hire, so I don't have that stress relief either! ; )

[Guest socal30]

Couldn't add much to what has already been added. But stuff happens. Sometimes our reality of how the world works is pretty solid and then some dufus comes along and shows it is just a house of cards. In the old days, change was gradual, now it is like instant coffee. If you can adjust , good, but if not-not worth the health problems. One of my friends got a massive heart attack-but still refused to quit her job that she hates-too old and lonely and doesn't have anything else to do.

 

I myself am in forced retirement. Well we parted ways after my entire team was laid off. I realised, finacially I am fine-I just have worked so long, that it had become me. They called me back-but it would involve laying off more people and shifting more jobs out of the country-people I knew and whose kids I knew. I just couldn't do it anymore. Then lost quite a few people close to me all of a sudden-for a while it seemed like people I knew where dropping like flies. That tears another chunk out of your reality -or at least your belief.

 

But in a way it has been a blessing. I never spent time thinking what I wanted to do with my life. I just did it, job, money . But the last few years, things started changing , but at a conscious level, I never could accept it.Now I am figuring out what to do, which career to take, that will make me happy, not just money. Luckily finacially I am fine, but I am trying to find my passion and go on the next phase of life. It is not easy-especially if you have functioned in such a way as to always shove your feelings aside and do that gives you the most money. Nice learning process. Somewhat lonely-I don't relate to many of my friends anymore. They are all rushing about in the same way-which is fine.

 

But an interesting journey nonethless. I am thinking of taking a year off travelling the world , seeing different things-but with a new set of eyes. Who knows I might stumble into something that makes my heart be filled with passion again.

 

But that is me. For you, just wait till next week, they may fire the witch or transfer you internally. Everybody is built different, what works for one, will not work for another !!

[instudiocity]

I am thinking of taking a year off travelling the world , seeing different things-but with a new set of eyes. Who knows I might stumble into something that makes my heart be filled with passion again.

If I were in your shoes, I would move near my favorite winery and spend my days pouring tastes in their tasting room, meeting folks and sharing lies.

[Guest socal30]

If I were in your shoes, I would move near my favorite winery and spend my days pouring tastes in their tasting room, meeting folks and sharing lies.

 

That is a real odd hobby-but whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

Anyway to the OP, I think if you are planning on leaving, you might think of what you will do afterwards. I mostly used to deal with offshoring, teams there and here and then slowly transitioning only there. I just can't do it anymore. It wasn't the boss, just the whole job.

 

Which is great, because I know what I don't want to do, but haven't figured out what I want to do. it is quite frustrating. But hey life goes on.

[Tommygunzz]

Once again I am coming to this esteemed panel of experts to pick your worldly brains. It's time for me to leave my job. The conditions have become unbearable this year. I googled this question and it seems my situation does not warrant a justifiable quit. It's a major personality clash with a new superior this year. I have made many attempts to forge on anyway but I realize it's hopeless. She is hostile towards me because I'm older and have more experience. The staff is loyal to me and I am in her way. I have tried a few meetings with HR and she has a great game face with them. I got to get out. I can't sleep. I've gone into a deep depression. I have to man up and jump. Thing is, I'm in my fifties now and the job market is scary to say the least even for a man half my age. I'm a little lost on this cloudy day today. I need to hear other perspectives. Thanks.

 

Here's my two-cents, based on personal experience.

 

I was in a similar situation earlier this year, and decided that I needed to leave, but would NOT do so until I found someplace new. Unfortunately, that timetable didn't work out and I was fired at the end of April. I worked for a smaller, privately held company, and I live in at "at-will" state, where employers can dismiss employees for no reason. (I was given a reason, however. It was that the owner had made a "business decision to move in a new direction". She had, in fact, hired someone else and they started the next day.) But I digress ...

 

I was making close to $80K, and the company offered NO benefits, except vacation. I was immediately eligible for unemployment benefits, but here's the deal, in round numbers. I would be eligible for $400/wk in benefits. If I found any other employment for the week I claimed benefits, I would be eligible for 125% of that amount, about $500/wk, but the benefit would be reduced by whatever I earned. In my case I had a PT job that I'd been at for 3 years. If I earned $200 during the week, my unememployment benefit would pay $300; if I earned $450 during the week, my unemployment benefit would kick in only $50. So, for as long as I choose to collect unemployment benefits, my income is capped at $500/wk, or less than a third of what I was earning, and there is no way to make any more and still collect benefits.

 

Oh, yes. There actually is a way. I would need to find a new job, but that has proven to be more difficult than I'd ever planned or hoped. I've been looking since early this year, and been out of work since April. I've been under serious consideration, interviewing with multiple decision-makers for four positions, but have missed out in the final round in each of the four. BTW--I am 56.

 

I agree with the advice already given. Don't leave until you have a new position lined up. Get any severence, COBRA, and assistance that you can, if there is any to be taken. I'm a strong believer in networking, and thought I was fairly well connected, but it soon became clear that networking was a lot more than just sending an email to everyone in your address book. I recently found out about LinkedIn.com. It's like facebook only very professional. You post a profile and upload your contact list to their server. Emails are automatically sent out to everyone on your list, asking them to "link in" to your network. I was surprised how many of my friends and colleagues were already on there and accepted my invitation. Once they do that, you are exposed to all the additional contacts in their profiles, and it just multiplies after that. Truthfully, of the 4 interviews that I've had (and all were for terrific jobs) each of them came from a contact that I had cultivated through LinkedIn. I'm convinced that my next career position will come from a contact that I made through this site. BTW It's free.

 

Good Luck!

[rvwnsd]

Keep your job until you find a new one. Prospective employers will ask why you left your last position. "I didn't get along with my new boss" will make you look like a problem employee waiting to happen. If you tell an prospective employer that you were laid off when, in fact, you resigned you will be lying. No one likes a liar. Start looking for a job while you have one.

[Guest Zack]

I would also add that many states, if not already, are running out of funds to pay unemployment compensation.

 

Many are looking to reduce weekly benefits and some are considering a higher employer contribution to keep things solvent.

 

If you've got a job, no matter how challenging, hold onto it. It can only get worse if you don't.

[Guest jstlooknthx]

So it's done. It is a 'mutual agreement' and I was giving a small severance and short continuation of my health insurance. Insiders at corporate say it was as generous as this company gets and my leaving has caused an big stir. Oh well. I'm just numb tonight. Tomorrow I'll apply for unemployment and hope for the best. I think I need to sleep for about 12 hours for now. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for all you input.

[Guest greatness]

Well I wish you for the best and I hope you can get a new job fast.

[Lookin]

I'm sure the spring will be back in your step by the weekend. Those kinds of stressful work situations are draining to say the least. Being away from that environment sounds like the best thing you could do for yourself. So, congratulations on that part! And on getting some extra cash and benefits on your way out.

 

Hope the new year brings some much happier opportunities, and that you enjoy all the holidays in between!

[Guest jstlooknthx]

Where's my Obamacare??

 

I just found and reread this thread. I'm amazed at the thoughtful and supportive input from those of you who responded. Thanks again. It really did help focus me at a rough time. This board really does have worth, beyond the superficial fascination we share for escorts. I don't really have friends my age here in Los Angeles (where 55 can feel like 75) and job security is definitely a different issue at this time of life. I found it hard to discuss with my younger friends here. Their exuberant "Fuck them. Just do it!" mentality just annoyed me.

 

So, moving on in 2011. No job. Unemployment has kicked in. Feeling like I went through an ugly divorce and still trying to snap out of it, but time heals right? Now the immediate issue is Health Insurance. The company covered my Cobra payments until Feb. I just paid for next month but I'm finding $390 kind of steep, yes? So I need to shop around for an individual policy. This is another area where being 55 is going to hurt me. Non smoker, healthy, in shape, no pre-existing medical conditions. Any of you in my bracket have an individual plan to brag about. I have always had insurance through work and this is a new arena for me.

[Guest jstlooknthx]

I just realized I probably should have started a new thread for this. Should have saved people having to read the whole gruesome story again. oh well...

[Guest greatness]

I hope you can find a job soon. You can look into a couple of insurance companies and see whether you can get a better quote. You can drop some options you don't need and see whether you can save some money. I'm sorry that I can't help you more than that. Good luck.

 

I just realized I probably should have started a new thread for this. Should have saved people having to read the whole gruesome story again. oh well...