Iowa Case Law

[cvc42]

I just quit a job that I held for 5 months. I was asked to apply for a position in the Telecom Dept at a Hospital. I was for 5 years a Vendor employed phone tech at this same hospital. I had an excellent reputation form my employer and the hospital. I was asked to apply for a recently vacated Administrative position in the Telecom Dept and did so at the request of the head of Telecom for the hospital. With in weeks it became a nightmare. The individual turned out to be very controlling and horrid person to work with. We shared the same cubicle togother. This person was to train me and teach me the processes of the dept. The training stopped within a few weeks. Finally on Dec 6th I forced a conversation about what the problem was. This person said I quote(I just thought you knew what what we did in this dept. I asked the question Do you want me gone? The answer was yes. I got an e-mail later telling me I should move on. The VP of the dept said he does what ever he is told by her as it relates to Telecom as he has no background in it. This is the boss! I asked if I had her support to go back to my old employer. I was told by everyone involved that I had there support to do so. But My old emplyer refused to hire me back. I could not take the stress any longer. I even called in on a Compliance hotline to try and get the matter rectfied. They invertigate problems that can't be handled in the normal channels. That was a week ago, I have heard nothing. There are some other things as well but don't bare repeating here. Do I have a case??

[Marketeer]

A case for what? Unless the supervisor is singling you for this behavior on the basis of your race, religion, national origin, etc., the behavior you've described is not illegal. Unfortunately, it sounds like you're working for a micromanaging jerk whose behavior is tolerated by the organization.

[cbg]

A case for what? Sorry, but your question is not clear. I don't know if you're asking about a case for wrongful termination, unemployment benefits, to get your old job back, or what. Please clarify and I'll try to help.

[cvc42]

Sorry didn't make myself clear. I was basically set up to fail. The training and communication had stopped. She was responsible for my training, I would literally sit and stare at my computer. My phone quit ringing and all request's for work from people at the hospital stopped. Since I quit, I can't sue I guess but would I be able to have a case for unemployment while I look for work?

[cbg]

You wouldn't be able to sue in any case, since nothing illegal transpired.

It is next to impossible get unemployment benefits if you quit. By all means apply, but on the basis of what you have posted it's extremely unlikely that you will qualify. Not getting along with your manager is not considered a valid reason to quit and still get benefits.

[cvc42]

Thanks I figured as much just have to chalk it as a learning experience. Thanks and great site!!

[cvc42]

I have a question about unemployment. Since I only worked at my last job for 5 months don't you have to be employed for 6 months before you can claim benifits? And if thats true, would they go back on my previous emplyer who I worked for for 5.5 years. I think I have a case for unemplyment. So I am trying to get the facts on how it works in IOWA. Who would the calim go against?

Thanks

[cvc42]

One more question, can I use e-mails from from old job in my unemployment case?? Is it legal or could I get in trouble for doing so.

Thanks

[cbg]

I'm sorry, but my charts do not provide the information you are asking for. You'll need to call the state UI commission if it matters to you which employer would be charged.

There could be factors that you have not mentioned, but on the basis of what you have included in your post I do not believe that you will qualify for unemployment. My charts do include information on who can quit and still get UI, and I can't find any reason listed for Iowa except illness in the family.

There is nothing in the law that I am aware of that prohibits you from using e-mails in your appeal, but again I do not believe that you qualify under Iowa law.

[cvc42]

I was continually harrassed at work by my coworker who was to train me, on one incident she tossed a book at me and swore. Here is an exert from an e-mail she sent me.

You need to decide what you are going to do with your job at BLANK Although you are on-call, I have fielded helpdesk calls for you all week because you have not been at your desk to answer them. You have been at your desk less than three hours these last two days. This is why I paged you that I will take call. Since there is basically no communication between us regarding work, and you are not here to support our users, I felt it was best that I take it over immediately.

It's a shame that this has turned out this way. I need a co-worker that is willing to put forth the effort to work in this position. If that is not your intention, then you need to move on.

[cbg]

My opinion has not changed. I will be very surprised if the Iowa UI commission determines that this was egregarious enough to allow you to quit and still receive benefits.

I'm not telling you not to try, but you said you wanted to know how it worked in Iowa, and I can find nothing in Iowa law to suggest that this would be sufficent "good cause" to quit and get benefits. In fact, I can't think of a state in which this would be sufficient to quit and get benefits.