If my employer fired me can i get unemployment

Were you laid off or fired?

There is a difference between being laid off and fired. Generally, we will treat you as:

  • Laid off if your employer is not replacing you. You will qualify for unemployment benefits if you meet all of the eligibility criteria.
  • Fired if your employment was ended because of performance, behavior or other “just cause” reason. You may qualify for unemployment benefits if you were fired through no fault of your own, such as not having the skills to do the job. Youmay not qualify if you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct.

Layoff examples

  • Your employer has no work available
  • Your assignment ended
  • Your employer went out of business
  • Your position was eliminated
  • You're required to participate in temporary classroom apprenticeship training
  • You're a seasonal employee and the season ended
  • Your employer temporarily shut down for reasons such as weather, materials delay, natural disaster or temporary maintenance closure
  • Your employer gave your separation reason as standby
  • Your employer said that you were on furlough

Fired for misconduct examples

  • Deliberate or wanton disregard for your employer or a fellow employee, such as:
    • Insubordination
    • Repeated inexcusable tardiness after warnings
    • Dishonesty related to your employment
    • Repeated and inexcusable absences
    • Violating the law or deliberate acts that provoke violence or illegal actions, or violating a collective bargaining agreement
    • Violating a company rule
  • Deliberately violating or disregarding standards of behavior that your employer has a right to expect.
  • Carelessness or negligence that causes, or will likely cause, serious bodily harm to your employer or fellow employees.
  • Carelessness or negligence that is so bad or happens so often that it shows an intentional or substantial disregard for your employer.

Gross misconduct examples

  • A criminal act in connection with your work for which you have been convicted in a criminal court or have admitted committing. Examples include:
    • Embezzlement or theft of property.
    • Purposeful destruction of the employer’s property.
  • Conduct connected with your work that demonstrates a flagrant and wanton disregard for your employer or a fellow employee. Examples include:
    • Installing a secret camera in fitting rooms.
    • Stealing a patient’s identification.

Misconduct and gross misconduct penalties

If we determine that you were fired or suspended for misconduct or gross misconduct connected with your work, we will deny your benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired and until you earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in a job that is covered by unemployment insurance. If we deny your benefits based on gross misconduct, we will also remove wages and hours from your unemployment insurance records. Once the wages and hours are removed, they are no longer available for your use and may cause you to be ineligible for future unemployment benefits.

Produced by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Greater Boston Legal Services
Reviewed May 2022

If you are fired, you may be able to get Unemployment Insurance (UI). But, if your employer had rules that were fair, rules that you knew about, and you broke the rules on purpose, you cannot get unemployment benefits. Also, if you purposely did something that caused serious problems for your employer, you cannot get unemployment benefits.

Your employer may not want you to get benefits because he or she pays the taxes for unemployment insurance. If you get unemployment benefits, your employer may have to pay higher taxes. So your employer may try to prove you knowingly broke a fair rule or policy on purpose. Or, your employer may try to prove you acted against his or her wishes.

To prove that you broke a reasonable rule

Your employer must show:

  1. Your employer let you know you about the rule or policy;
  2. You knew you were breaking the rule when you acted;
  3. The rule is reasonable;
  4.  You were able to follow the rule; and
  5. Your employer treats all employees who break the rule in a similar way.

To show that you acted against his or her expectations or interests

Your employer must show:

  1. You knew that your behavior was a surprise to your employer or 
    you knew the way you behaved hurt the business 
    and
  2. You were trying to hurt the business.

If you are fired because you could not do the job, you can still get unemployment benefits.

If you are laid off, the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will talk to you and your employer to find out if you can get benefits.  Make sure you tell DUA your side of the story.

If you are fired, you will need to contact DUA and apply for unemployment benefits. The sooner you apply, the better. The longer you wait, the higher the chances that your benefits will be reduced.

What disqualifies you from unemployment in Massachusetts?

You may not be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits if your only source of employment is from working as: An employee of a non-profit or religious organization. A worker trainee in a program run by a nonprofit or public institution. A real estate broker or insurance agent who work only on commission.

What disqualifies you from unemployment benefits in California?

"An individual is disqualified for unemployment compensation benefits if the director finds that he or she left his or her most recent work voluntarily without good cause or that he or she has been discharged for misconduct connected with his or her most recent work."

Can I get unemployment if I was fired for performance in Georgia?

If you were fired from your job, you will not be able to draw benefits if your former employer can show that you were fired for failure to follow rules, orders, or instructions, or for misconduct on the job. The only way to know for sure whether you are eligible if you are fired is to file a claim.

Can you get unemployment if you are fired Washington State?

You will qualify for unemployment benefits if you meet all of the eligibility criteria. Fired if your employment was ended because of performance, behavior or other “just cause” reason. You may qualify for unemployment benefits if you were fired through no fault of your own, such as not having the skills to do the job.