Unemployment Insurance claims

Unemployment Insurance claims
Prusch v Shenendehowa CSD, 259 AD2d 877, Motion for leave to appeal denied, 93 NY2d 816

As a general rule, criticism of an employee’s job performance by a supervisor or receipt of a negative performance evaluation does not necessarily constitute good cause for leaving employment for the purpose of establishing eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. The same is true with respect to an individual resigning in anticipation of his or her dismissal.

These are the lessons of the Prusch case.

John E. Prusch was employed by the Shenendehowa Central School District as a teacher of foreign languages. He resigned from his position effective April 25, 1997 and applied for unemployment insurance benefits. Prusch indicated that he resigned because he was “stressed out” and because he had received an unsatisfactory rating on a performance review, which recommended that he not be rehired for the upcoming school year.

The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board rejected Prusch’s claim, ruling that he was disqualified from receiving benefits because he had voluntarily left his employment without good cause. Prusch appealed only to have the Appellate Division affirm the board’s determination.

Although Prusch alleged that he resigned based upon advice from his psychologist that he quit as soon as possible because of stress caused by his negative evaluation, the court commented that the record indicated that he “nevertheless chose to remain, continuing his employment for another month, and his resignation letter contained no reference to a physician’s recommendation.”
NYPPL