Hi there,
I quit my job and was wondering if i can still apply for unemployemnt. My job was forcing me to work 70 hours a week while on salary and no overtime pay. My job duties changed from when i started working there alot. Thanks for you time in advance.

Theod

 

I don't think you can, that's from personal experience.

You can try and then fight the claim with your company in court.

 

From what I recall, quitting and getting fired won't qualify for unemployment benefits. However, it varies with unemployment agencies. Ask yours and file a claim.

 

If you can prove that the job situation was unsafe or abusive then you have a shot. I just wouldn't have work more than 40 and wited for the pink slip.

 

This is similar to a job I had about 10 years ago. I quit after working 100+ hours a week during the busy season.

The unemployment agency had a hearing with me, my ex-boss, etc... It was determined that I knew the situation when I accepted the job, therefore wasn't eligible for benefits.

Therefore, I am only suited to give bad advice, if I would have won the case, I could give you good advice.

 

Do you happen to work in the video games industry? They would sweat us like that for 8-9 months straight. If you kept some of the emails as proof, I think you would be able to get unemployment. The arbitrators tend to side with the employee.

 

One of our employees quit, got another job, got fired from that one, filed for unemployment, and WE were contacted. She now has her job with us again. I'm not sure how this can help, or if it can at all. Just wanted to share.

 

IMO, you won't be able to get unemployment compensation despite the fact that your former employer was screwing you over with your workload.

When you file for unemployment, your former employer gets contacted because they are partially subsidizing your unemployment compensation. This is typically not a big issue with larger companies that have budgets for this, write-offs, etc. but for smaller companies most likely they will refuse to give any compensation.

Typically unemployment is valid for lay-offs, downsizing, etc. and not for quitting or getting fired/terminated.

 

Take a shot no matter what you have nothing to lose but a little bit of time.

 

Are you sure you were (legally) exempt from overtime?