Wait A Minute...I Didn't File For Unemployment Against This Employer!

This is a common statement from my clients. Unfortunately, claimants don't get to choose which employer is involved in their claim for unemployment benefits. Typically, an employee voluntarily leaves Employer "A" at no fault of Employer "A". The employee finds another job with Employer "B". After a few days or weeks on the job with Employer "B", the employee is fired or Employer "B" notifies the employee they have changed their mind and there is no job available. The employee files for unemployment and the employee finds him/herself confronted with Employer "A" at an unemployment hearing. Claimants don't have a beef with Employer "A" and can't understand why they're involved. Why isn't Employer "B" involved? One reason is that when you file for unemployment, the starting point for your claim begins about 45 days before your file date. Essentially, Employer "B" is not in the system when you filed your claim. Claimant's don't realize that Employer "A" is already in the system and is a base period employer contributing to, or paying unemployment taxes toward the unemployment fund. Their unemployment rate will be affected or may be affected in the future if your claim is successful. Has this happened to you?