Unemployment compensation dilemma in PA

July 21, 2008 8:08 PM

In Pennsylvania, can applying for unemployment compensation ruin your references?

In Pennsylvania, if you apply for unemployment compensation, that increases your former employers' UC taxes. (see PA DLI, unemployment compensation, information for employers, Act 5 FAQ's.) I always heard that you were supposed to apply for UC, and I never heard there was any reason not to if you think you would qualify, so I filed. However, won't my former employers be irate that I filed and therefore give me bad references? What should I do? I feel like an idiot now, that I blew my best references. Did I? These were temporary jobs. My leaving was no fault of my own or the employers'.

posted by serena15221 to Work & Money (5 answers total)

I think you're misunderstanding how the system works. Your employer pays into the Unemployment Insurance Program via a tax that comes out of payroll. The money's spent whether you use it or not, so the business doesn't care. I'm 99.99% sure they don't even know, since you file with the government, not them.
posted by mkultra at 8:41 PM on July 21, 2008

You should also call the HR department or person at your former workplace to find out what they tell potential employers who call. My former work places only give out very specific information: position held, dates of employment, and if I'm eligible for rehire. All other references are former co-workers or supervisors, but are technically personal references, as they can't speak on behalf of the company or organization.
posted by All.star at 8:47 PM on July 21, 2008

I think you're misunderstanding how the system works. Your employer pays into the Unemployment Insurance Program via a tax that comes out of payroll. The money's spent whether you use it or not, so the business doesn't care. I'm 99.99% sure they don't even know, since you file with the government, not them.

I'm not an expert on the subject but my HR manager (also in PA) told me they get a slip from the state every time somebody applies for UC so they have an opportunity to fight it. Is the state going to simply take your word that you weren't fired for gross misconduct? It's also my understanding that an employer pays in according to how many employees collect it (the reason they usually fight it). My Dad used to work in HR and he went to court every time someone filed unless they obviously deserved it. I'm sure I'm oversimplifying it and someone more knowledgeable can weigh in though.
posted by bda1972 at 9:22 PM on July 21, 2008

I doubt they would be 'irate' that you filed unemployment. It's usually expected that people who lose their jobs will file for unemployment, unless they made so much before that the payments won't matter.

In order to fight unemployment, at least in Iowa you need to be fired for gross misconduct, not just because they didn't like you anymore. And if you got fired/laid off because they didn't like you any more then I would assume they wouldn't give you a good reference anyway.
posted by delmoi at 9:44 PM on July 21, 2008

I live in PA and have collected unemployment with no problems. Keep in mind that you can only apply for unemployment if you have been fired or laid off - not if you've quit. When either of these events happen, your employer should not be surprised that you will be applying. In fact, if you've been laid off, they'll usually encourage you to apply. The unemployment office will send a form to your old employer asking them to verify that you were not fired for gross misconduct. After that, you will be eligible to start collecting benefits. I cannot imagine why an employer would be upset by this. In the past, my former employers have always been very sympathetic and helpful.
posted by jrichards at 6:43 AM on July 22, 2008