I want to quit but dont know if iI will be entitled to unemployment

by Frankie
(Miami, Florida)

At my current position I have acquired excessive responsibilities that were not in my initial job description, which was a warehouse assistant (12 p/h).

Now I have been asked to perform administrative and sales tasks without any additional compensation. I informed the owner of the company that I didn't mind as long as the extra responsibilities were accounted for. I asked for a raise which I haven't received in 2yrs. And I was told that the economy was bad and there would be no raise and if I wanted to, I could go look for a job somewhere else. I was pretty much told to go "f" myself. I do not deserve this and know I am getting the short end of the deal here, but I don?t know if I will qualify for unemployment if I quit. Please help me with this citation.


Hi Frankie,

Generally, if an employer changes the conditions of employment significantly from what they were when you first accepted the job good cause may be found.

I do understand why it's difficult to make the decision you are contemplating because Florida does not really explain anywhere how they interpret their statutes. They do not have an appeal policy and precedent manual like some states or a determination guide.

What they do have is this:

443.031 Rule of liberal construction.--This chapter shall be liberally construed in favor of a claimant of unemployment benefits who is unemployed through no fault of his or her own. Any doubt as to the proper construction of this chapter shall be resolved in favor of conformity with federal law, including, but not limited to, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, the Social Security Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Workforce Investment Act.


You can click here to read a determination guide published by the US Dept. of Labor and gives an idea of how decisions are reached.

If you decide to quit, it basically comes down to you presenting to the state all the reason why you quit...and they then make their decision.

Questions you should be asking are whether you'll have to work more hours without additional compensation, are you qualified for the new duties, would you have accepted the job in the first place if you had been required to do what you are now being asked to do. Is the employer offering commission for the added sales duties...etc. Basically, outline the changes that are occurring...the pros and cons if you will.

It is a difficult decision..especially considering the job market and economy right now, but chalk one up for yourself because your investigating before you quit.

By my estimate (12 per hour) you could only expect about $240 a week from unemployment if all goes well.