The Missouri Department of Labor has released their guidance in regards to unemployment insurance benefits eligibility for employees. Employees must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for unemployment:
- If workers quit a job without good cause, they are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Quitting a job due to fear of exposure to COVID-19, absent advice from your health care provider, is not considered good cause for quitting under the law.
- Quitting a job without good cause to obtain unemployment benefits may be considered fraud. Benefits obtained through fraud must be repaid. The individual is not eligible for future payment and may be subject to prosecution.
- Unemployment benefits are for those who are laid off through no fault of their own.
- If a workplace is operating during COVID-19, workers should provide a doctor’s note when filing for unemployment. The note should explain what work the employee can perform.
- If a worker is put in a temporary layoff status or furlough, then declines their employer’s request to come back to work, the worker is not eligible for unemployment benefits.
The Department of Labor has put together an Employee Notice poster containing this information that you can print and place in an employee break room or wherever it may be visible to employees. You can view the poster by clicking HERE!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the MGA team or you can. reach out to me directly.
Sincerely,
Dan Shaul
State Director
