forced out of my job?? Tennessee

[willard]

Just a little background on my situation: I started with this company in Tn 8/04 as a branch manager. Was very successful for first year, then got transferred to a new office opening (which meant I was starting from scratch). This office was not as profitable as my previous one. Shortly after I opened the new office, I was informed by my supervisor that an anonomys letter had been sent to our Regional Vice President from a current employee stating that I had an alcohol problem and come to work drunk. This is farthest thing from the truth. Afterwards, I was treated differently by other employees. I know this letter was placed in my employee file which would hinder my opportunities for advancement with this company. Soon after, I was made to sign a contract which had certain goals that HAD to be met or I would be terminated. These goals that were set were VERY unattainable within a 3 month period, which was also stated by several other employees. I turned in my letter of resignation and 2 week notice two days before the scheduled meeting about the goals that were not even close to being met through no fault of my own.

My question is: Can you get unemployment if you feel you were forced to resign??

Thank You

[Pattymd]

It's unlikely, but it can't hurt to try. There's no penalty for being wrong.

I do have to say, though, that I'm not sure I'd want to work for an employer who took an anonymous letter alleging a certain activity for gospel truth and placed it in the employee's personnel file. Generally speaking, reputable HR professionals treat such anonymous allegations as virtual trash, unless the employer has some independent reason to believe the allegation might be true.

[turbowray]

I agree with Patty, but I must add, that you were not forced to resign, you chose to do so, to avoid being fired for not reaching the goals. I don't know if,since you quit, if you could get unemployment?

[rjc]

And I will be the third to agree that it is unlikely, but you can only true find out by filing.

Additionally, it is certainly more likely than not that you will be disqualified at the initial level, however be certain to appeal that determination and request a hearing before a Referee.

In the course of the hearing you will have a far better opportunity to explain your reasoning.

I would also suggest that you subpoena certain documents, most especially your personnel file and the "contract" that set these unattainable goals. The burden will be upon you to demonstrate that you quit with good cause attributable to the employer. In other words, that you had no choice but to resign for reasons such as the job become untenable. This anonymous, and potentially libelous, letter might have some causal connection to these heretofore unheard of goals ... just a thought for your argument.