Can I collect unemployment if I quit because of unethical and illegal work practices?

by Anonymous

(Illinois)

I quit because my employer was hiring employees with invalid social security numbers and was also falsifying the results of background checks. Due to the illegal and unethical nature of these actions I did not feel it was in my best interest to remain employed with this company. I did not give notice to my employer, however I described the events listed above in detail within a resignation letter.

A.

Illinois’s unemployment statute on voluntary quitting does not address your situation. You can read it here. It’s titled Sec. 601. Voluntary leaving, however (820 ILCS 405/603) (from Ch. 48, par. 433) says ” In determining whether or not any work is suitable for an individual, consideration shall be given to the degree of risk involved to his health, safety, and morals”, morals being the operative word here. IL, like most states, use a combination of federal law and their own provisions which add to the scope of certain areas.

But what you’ve written begs the question, did your employer ask you to assist with or perform the unethical and illegal business practices or were you just aware these things were going on, and can you prove it?

Since you are the moving party the burden of proof is yours.

You can file for unemployment and see how it goes. It will be interesting to see how your employer responds..if at all. Have the resignation letter ready to give to the state if they ask for it.

If you are denied and decide to appeal or if the employer appeals, I suggest you check out the possibility of free legal help on this pages at IDES.

Chris