Unemployement question.

[Kimberle]

(I'm asking for a friend.)

When your company relocates, how many miles must it move before you can collect unemployment if you decide not to move with them?

My friends is moving about 29-30 miles. If she were to go, it would mean around a 1.5 hour commute each way, vs. a 10 minute one now.

 

[workinggal]

I'm confused how a 10 minute trip would be extended to 1.5 hours by only a 30 mile move????

 

[jkovick]

I think it probably varies state to state.

 

[CEDmom]

I also think it varies from state to state but I can tell you that my employer mover 30 miles away and I wasn't entitled to anything if I chose not to make the commute.

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by workinggal
I'm confused how a 10 minute trip would be extended to 1.5 hours by only a 30 mile move????

No direct route, back roads that crawl if you must know. We are in the 'burbs of NYC. It often takes me 45 minutes to a hour to drive 12 miles.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by workinggal
I'm confused how a 10 minute trip would be extended to 1.5 hours by only a 30 mile move????

I'm with you...that math doesn't seem to add up.

That said, in our state, you cannot receive benefits at all if you leave your job of your own accord. So, unless they fire her or lay her off, she would be denied benefits. A 30 mile commute is quite normal in our area....so it wouldn't even cross people's minds.

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by workinggal
I'm confused how a 10 minute trip would be extended to 1.5 hours by only a 30 mile move????

Depends on where she lives and where the company moves to. I know that here in the San Francisco Bay area, a move of 30 miles could very well end up costing an employee hours in commute time. Example, from my house to downtown SF during commute hours is about 2ish hours or more. During non-commute times it's about 30 minutes. The traffic is absolutley absurd. I can't speak for the OP, but it may be the case there as well.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by Kimberle
(I'm asking for a friend.)

When your company relocates, how many miles must it move before you can collect unemployment if you decide not to move with them?

My friends is moving about 29-30 miles. If she were to go, it would mean around a 1.5 hour commute each way, vs. a 10 minute one now.

It truly depends on the employer and what they deem acceptable or not acceptable. I've been involved in a relocation before, my company moved out of NYC and to Stamford, CT, At the time, they deemed anyone who did not live in CT or Westchester to be "out of area" and could decide to leave and be granted a package. You could also stay and receive relocation assistance if you lived in that area. A friend who worked for another company who was in NYC and also moved to CT deemed anyone who worked for the company had to come (those who lived 50 miles away were elegible for relocation assistance) or they were basically out of a job at their own merit, so not elegible for unemployment. There is no rule that states how far a company can move before you're elegible and I'm sure it has to be more than 50 miles to receive relocation assistance, since that's the IRS guideline for moving expenses being deductible. If the move is more than 50 miles (and in your friends case it isn't) and relocation assistance is offered, and you choose to leave the job, you're basically on your own.

 

[workinggal]

No direct route, back roads that crawl if you must know.

No need to be nasty. I was just asking a question.

And I agree with the others that said that she probably won't get unemployment if she leaves the company as opposed to them laying her off.

 

[figment52]

Have you called or emailed the state unemployment office? They should be willing to answer that for you without you giving up your identity or company specifics.

In some states employer relocating is grounds for benefits...they call you a "displaced employee". Unreasonable a physical change in reporting location did not necessarily disqualify you from benefits...it was through no fault of yours and the location change placed and unreasonable burden on you to maintain employment with them.