Hi!

Two unrelated questions.

1. My job moved from Boston to Chicago and, though I was offered to move with the company, I declined. When the office closes down for good, am I considered as having quit, or having gotten laid off/involuntarily terminated? Am I eligible for unemployment insurance?

2. Our accounting department processed employee evaluations (and yearly raises) only four times a year - once at the end of each quarter. At that time, even if your evaluation and raise happened two months earlier, they put the raise into effect, and employees began receiving updated paychecks. When I asked about retroactive pay for the two months (4 bi-weekly pay periods) I was owed higher salary that had gone into effect much earlier, I was given a polite version of 'Sorry, them's the breaks.' The employees lose less than $100 overall, but I'm betting the company saves a lot of money with this trick. Is that even legal?

Thank you.

1.) The strong likelihood is that the answers are, Laid off and Yes, but the exact circumstances will determine it for sure. Only the DET can give you a definite answer.

2.) Quite legal. Barring a bona fide contract that specifically says otherwise, no law requires that you be given pay raises at all, let alone that they be retroactive.

Regarding question #1, I agree with cbg that more likely than not the DUA, formerly known as the DET, will determine that you were involuntarily separated due to a lack of work. Nevertheless, even if it is determined that you voluntarily quit by refusing to go to Chicago you will still be determined eliginle because you quit with good cause ... although, having lived in Chicago for a few years I will state it is an absolutely great city!:D