Getting unemployment for called off

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

I'm not sure how you could do that. You are not unemployed - you simply didn't work one day (each occurrence). How could you claim unemployment?

tiggerslilyrn · Jan 13, 2015

My sister-in-law gets unemployment when her plant closes and she cannot work. Was just wondering if it was possible for my situation.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

I know different States have different rules, but I know in my own State there is a threshhold for filing that would include working less than four days in a week, AND making below the minimum amount for those days....as a nurse, I think you'd be over that threshhold of income no matter WHAT they are paying you. It's a pretty low bar to get under.

Beyond that, again referencing my own State, one has to have an unpaid week before being eligible to receive any compensation...so.....I just don't see how you could do this.

It's one of the unfortunates of nursing without a contract: they call you in when they need you, send you home when they don't, and you get paid accordingly.

If PA has MUCH more lenient unemployment laws, I'm sure someone from there will be along to help :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

My sister-in-law gets unemployment when her plant closes and she cannot work. Was just wondering if it was possible for my situation.

I'm no expert on employment law, but IMO I think there's probably a big difference between unneeded staff being called off for a shift, and an entire facility closing down leaving ALL of its workers without work.

Your best bet would be to check with your state's Labor Board or an attorney versed in labor/employment matters.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

In my state, there's a waiting period before we can collect unemployment. I want to say it's 2 weeks, but not 100% sure. In any case, getting called off one day and working again the next day wouldn't qualify because you're back to work well before that waiting period is up.

I'd second Meriwhen's recommendation to check w/ your state's labor board or an employment attorney, though. The worst that can happen is you find out you won't qualify.

caliotter3 · Jan 13, 2015

In my state, I can get unemployment when my extended care home health agencies do not keep me gainfully employed. But in my case we are talking about the better part of weeks or months with no employment or only sporadic employment. When you are talking about only a shift here and there, no. Why? Because there would not be enough time without work to justify the setoff. Once a claim is established, the person is allocated X amount per week of unemployment benefits. Should the person work two shifts during any particular week and earn $18 less than that allocated amount, they will only get a check for $18. If they earn $18 more for those two shifts, then they will get nothing for that week. Your friend undoubtedly works too much in any pay period to allow for the unemployment agency to even establish a claim for her.

VANurse2010 · Jan 13, 2015

I tried this, but at least in my state there are some income qualifications. Basically, even with losing a day, I still made too much money to qualify for partial unemployment. Partial unemployment is really for the working poor.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jan 13, 2015

I guess it may be possible but not likely. I'm in PA. I was able to get unemployment when I left my position after having a baby. It was a change in life circumstances and I asked for reduced hours and the NM refused and insisted I work my previous commitment. I quit and was able to collect unemployment. I eventually went back per diem. I still received unemployment based on what I made previously and what I was making each week as a per diem. So I've learned...sometimes anything is possible.

RainMom · Jan 13, 2015

I'd have to look to be sure, but I believe in my state that if hrs are consistently cut below what you normally work, like 30-50% or more, then a claim can be made for partial benefits. It was something I had looked into doing several yrs ago after being temporarily reduced to 3 days/wk from 5/wk.

Last yr, we went thru a period of such severe low census, that our medsurg floor CLOSED for more than a month! A lot of nurses were losing about half their hrs because staff was combined on the floors & some people only worked about every other shift or 2 that they were scheduled for. Pretty sure in that case, partial benefits apply in my state but not just for a random low census day here & there.

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

My sister-in-law gets unemployment when her plant closes and she cannot work. Was just wondering if it was possible for my situation.

If the hospital closes and you can't work perhaps.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 13, 2015

Are you kidding me?