EVENT DESIGN, PLANNING & PRODUCTION

3.09.2011

Frustrated New York State Business Owner

When did New York State decide to protect employees to the point of insanity? An employee resigned her position with us about 10 months ago to go work for another company. She also started working for a catering company and started her own business.  I'm counting three sources of income, but guess what I get in the mail? Yup, an unemployment claim, which we contested; because she's not unemployed. And guess what, NYS does not see having 3 jobs good enough reason to deny the unemployment claim. REALLY?

So, the real kicker in this situation is that we hired this person, trained her on event planning and our entire business operation and the company she is forming is in event planning. So basically I am paying her unemployment benefits so she can build her business and compete against me. REALLY?

I didn't fire this person, she quit and I'm being penalized. Small businesses are the economic engine of this state and country so why not protect us just a little? So, I'm asking my elected officials to bring some sanity back to the unemployment system and at least sometimes find in the case of the employer. PLEASE!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

We have gone through a very similar situation recently. Unbelievable!

Tary said...

Here's an opposite perspective. Once, when I suddenly found myself looking for a new career I was advised by counsel to be happy I got anything because it's an employer's state when it comes to New York. Employers don't have to give the employee anything except wages due. Employers can "reorganize" employees out of their jobs and rehire or hire others at will and the ex-employees are advised to move on and smile so they don't appear disgruntled. The ex-employees then sign a form that says they won't talk about specifics or they'll get nothing. I've known the feeling of giving everything you've got and all of a sudden being locked out. Yet, I totally agree with you about coming after past employers for unemployment benefits - it's not right. NYS went after our church because I had worked for them directing Christian Education and received a small wage there. Our church was in no way prepared to pay part of my unemployment plus I had previously resigned from the position. So, it's unreal, Nichole, unreal and unfair on either end. The Events Company doesn’t deserve it, either.

Kathy said...

You are right the same thing happened to me and I was so mad I tried to rehire her, but she didn't want the job and I still had to pay her.... talk about wrong!