Can you get unemployment if you quit your job? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. It depends on the reason you quit.
If you apply for unemployment in Oklahoma after you quit, the law that applies is 40 O.S.§ 2-404, which states: “An individual shall be disqualified for benefits for leaving his or her last work voluntarily without good cause connected to the work, if so found by the Commission.”
Good cause to quit
Well what does that mean… good cause connected to the work? I’m glad you asked! There’s a law that gives us an idea of what good cause means for unemployment purposes. Good cause includes things like working conditions that have changes so much that they cause such a risk to your health, safety or morals that quitting was justified, being treated in a substantially unfair way, or substantially difficult working conditions created by the employer. See 40 O.S. § 2-405.
Steps before you quit
So if you can point to one of these things, is that it? You get your unemployment benefits? No. In most cases, you’ll have to show that you took steps to protect your job and that you were left with no other choice but to quit. Consider things like reporting the offensive condition to the person causing it, a manager, or HR/human resources. Tell them what the problem is and how they can fix it. If you don’t get a resolution, go up your chain of command. You’ll also want to document any steps you take to fix the problem and what, if any, result you got from taking that step.
Of course, there may be times that you cannot follow these steps before you quit. But those situations are uncommon.In any event, if you decide to quit, do your best to be courteous and give your employer notice (when appropriate).
So can I get unemployment if I quit my job?
Ultimately, OESC makes the decision on a case-by-case basis. If you want to discuss your specific situation, schedule a meeting with me and let’s talk about it!
