i'm on light duty due to pregnancy and can not perform my job, if i quit can i collect unemployment?

by Ashley
(maine)

i am 6 1/2 months pregnant. I was just in the hospital overnight two days ago because i pulled some muscles and tore some ligaments at work. My doctor just gave me a note stating that i am now on light duty with a weight restriction of 20 lbs. My job requires me to lift more than that. My manager told me i can not return to work unless i am 100% able to do my job. They want me to take fmla leave but if i do that now the 12 weeks of leave will cover me to about a week before my due date, then what? i have no sick, personal, or vacation time and therefore they would end up terminating me anyways because i wouldn't be able to return to work because i will be going into labor when my leave runs out and will still need time. so if i quit now, can i still collect unemployment?


Hi Ashley,

I'm not exactly sure how Maine decides this issue, but in most states if a person is on light duty and their physician has just placed restrictions instead of saying no work at all .. and the employer cannot or does not supply light duty .. it is considered basically a lack of work and you should be able to collect unemployment.

I couldn't find a definitive answer for you, but I suggest you call an appeal office and pose the question to verify what I've told you and if you would be so kind as to update this page with what you find out .. I and someone else will be very grateful.

Here's the link to Maine's unemployment appeal page. http://www.maine.gov/labor/appeals/intro.htm There's a "contact us" link on the right with phone numbers and an email address.