Complaint Review: Unemployment Compensation Program Florida

Hi Jay,

I can relate to your troubles. I have done some research and it looks like most states have employees deduct two types of items, like disability and unemployment. Some go to a Federal plan like Retirement and Social Security, but others are state ran.

The two funds: disabilities and unemployment are HUGE! And they are not part of the yearly budget directed by state legislation, which basically makes the total amount of the FUND unknown to the public. The state pays LARGE amounts of funds to lawyers to keep that money in the pot, and does everything it can to keep it away from handworkers like yourself.

These paid lawyers are the very ones that write up the long forms, policies, and anything and everything to make it harder for you to get any kind of benefits.

In my opinion, I think states are misusing these funds for other budgets within state-ran programs and agencies, and because no one knows the total amount of the funds, they keep these lawyers paid to make sure no one knows of what is going on and that the funds never run out. (Usually these FUNDS are managed by a Budget and Control Board)

Another thing I think is since no one knows the amount or what is happening, I think the states even allow employers not to pay the total amount and therefore keep these lawyers on hire to make sure employers never have to pay employees. This is what I think is happening, and it makes a logical conclusion, GREED!

Now, as far as OPT OUT, I am not sure of that. I would think you have the right to OPT OUT anything from your paycheck, but I would have to look at your state's government's employment website under employee requirements. It should have that information that should answer your second question.

Hope this helps and I pray you get a new job and get back on your feet. As for these low-lives that care nothing for the posters, which I call them insulters, they can keep living in their dream-world, and one day soon they will be accountable for their evil ways!

PRAISE GOD!

It is called constructive critisism not advice, my termination was solely upon a personal clash with a HR manager, needless to say we were both on the same level on a company that was/is a sinking ship. The reason for denial is : Insubordonation, okay people this is a joke as an excuse;the meaning of insubordonation: These adjectives mean in opposition to and usually in defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to recognize or submit to the authority of a superior. There was no Authority superior to mine, there was no defiance and there was no failure to dismiss an authority of a superior. With this said, I worked for a Credit Card Processor in Florida which is a sinking ship, which has 85% of their merchants on RIPP OFF, I did not feel like I needed to be in the company much more due to bad business practices. I made clear my desire to leave in the immediate future but I would provide the company with ample time to find a replacement, after that everything went down hill, and after a heated discussion I was terminated without following the proper steps provided by the company. I decided not to fight my termination since I was leaving and this way I could collect my UE and have time to find a better career path, well thanks to the UE in Florida I am currently fallinf behind on my finances. So to all the smart people with Contrustive Advise, walk a mile in my shoes and then talk, I might not be the most knowledgalbe person but I dont try to look smart by Bsing everyone!!!!

It is called constructive critisism not advice, my termination was solely upon a personal clash with a HR manager, needless to say we were both on the same level on a company that was/is a sinking ship. The reason for denial is : Insubordonation, okay people this is a joke as an excuse;the meaning of insubordonation: These adjectives mean in opposition to and usually in defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to recognize or submit to the authority of a superior. There was no Authority superior to mine, there was no defiance and there was no failure to dismiss an authority of a superior. With this said, I worked for a Credit Card Processor in Florida which is a sinking ship, which has 85% of their merchants on RIPP OFF, I did not feel like I needed to be in the company much more due to bad business practices. I made clear my desire to leave in the immediate future but I would provide the company with ample time to find a replacement, after that everything went down hill, and after a heated discussion I was terminated without following the proper steps provided by the company. I decided not to fight my termination since I was leaving and this way I could collect my UE and have time to find a better career path, well thanks to the UE in Florida I am currently fallinf behind on my finances. So to all the smart people with Contrustive Advise, walk a mile in my shoes and then talk, I might not be the most knowledgalbe person but I dont try to look smart by Bsing everyone!!!!

It is called constructive critisism not advice, my termination was solely upon a personal clash with a HR manager, needless to say we were both on the same level on a company that was/is a sinking ship. The reason for denial is : Insubordonation, okay people this is a joke as an excuse;the meaning of insubordonation: These adjectives mean in opposition to and usually in defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to recognize or submit to the authority of a superior. There was no Authority superior to mine, there was no defiance and there was no failure to dismiss an authority of a superior. With this said, I worked for a Credit Card Processor in Florida which is a sinking ship, which has 85% of their merchants on RIPP OFF, I did not feel like I needed to be in the company much more due to bad business practices. I made clear my desire to leave in the immediate future but I would provide the company with ample time to find a replacement, after that everything went down hill, and after a heated discussion I was terminated without following the proper steps provided by the company. I decided not to fight my termination since I was leaving and this way I could collect my UE and have time to find a better career path, well thanks to the UE in Florida I am currently fallinf behind on my finances. So to all the smart people with Contrustive Advise, walk a mile in my shoes and then talk, I might not be the most knowledgalbe person but I dont try to look smart by Bsing everyone!!!!

It is called constructive critisism not advice, my termination was solely upon a personal clash with a HR manager, needless to say we were both on the same level on a company that was/is a sinking ship. The reason for denial is : Insubordonation, okay people this is a joke as an excuse;the meaning of insubordonation: These adjectives mean in opposition to and usually in defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to recognize or submit to the authority of a superior. There was no Authority superior to mine, there was no defiance and there was no failure to dismiss an authority of a superior. With this said, I worked for a Credit Card Processor in Florida which is a sinking ship, which has 85% of their merchants on RIPP OFF, I did not feel like I needed to be in the company much more due to bad business practices. I made clear my desire to leave in the immediate future but I would provide the company with ample time to find a replacement, after that everything went down hill, and after a heated discussion I was terminated without following the proper steps provided by the company. I decided not to fight my termination since I was leaving and this way I could collect my UE and have time to find a better career path, well thanks to the UE in Florida I am currently fallinf behind on my finances. So to all the smart people with Contrustive Advise, walk a mile in my shoes and then talk, I might not be the most knowledgalbe person but I dont try to look smart by Bsing everyone!!!!

Steve, I am in no way shape nor form posting my paystubs online. Even with my information blacked out you do not need to know what I make. Yes I am an "actual employee" I recieve a W-2 not a 1099 (although I have had a job where I was an independant contractor so I recieved a 1099).

Also, you can think I am posting incorrect information all you want. I know its true and anyone who works in these states will tell you its true. I do not care where you have worked, I lived the majority of my life in Washington, worked in Idaho and recently moved (two years ago) to Alaska for college and at every job have paid UI (unemployment insurace).

And as for a "few dollars" my most recent paystub had $9 taken out for UI (unemployment insurance) which is by no means a lot of money however I am a college student making hourly wages working two days a week so it is a good percentage of my paycheck. Now, I understand employers take the brunt of this cost, I never denied that. My only issue was when it was stated that employees do not pay anything when they do, in some states.

As for the person who asked if they can opt out, I suggest you keep your job and quit asking for help when you lose your job. Just find another one. As for the person who suggested you "apply for all public assistance you qualify for" that is sick. Why not just get another job? If there are no jobs in your community, MOVE! There's a novel idea, huh? I will never understand people who feed off public assistance. It is there for those who temporarily need it, it is not there to use so that you do not have to work (and not moving to find a job is refusing to work).

I'm looking at my NJ W-2. New Jersey subtracts it out as well. Right on my W-2 is UI/HC/WF, that's the unemployment insurance deduction. Then there's NJ DI which is the disabilty.

I think NJ unemployment is about 500-600 bucks a week. Disabilty is even higher. That's probably more than the average income in Florida I imagine.

My CA W-2 also has a deduction called SDI, I think that's state disability.

Well, I have paystubs from different employers in both Washington and Idaho (as well as Alaska) that say we do pay an unemployment tax. I never said that benefits could not be denied because of it. I was just pointing out that just because you do not pay it in Florida does not mean you do not pay it anywhere. And a "small percentage" try almost 3% which is not anywhere near 100%, true, but its equal to SSI.

I just ran out of energy respoding to this.

I put an email into WA and AK employment security division to clarify who pays for UI on employees.

I already know the answer, but will post the official reply here when I get it.

Nicole is referring to that unemployment tax in AK. It is only a few dollars a pay period, unlike the cost of unemployment insurance premiums.

Yes Jay, you can "opt out" of unemployment.

Keep your job!

I may not be from Florida, but that does not mean I don't or can't know how UI works.

Alaskan employees may contribute a small portion of their paychecks to help fund UI. However, employers are still required to pay 100% UI Tax on their employees. And even though you may pay a small amount to fund UI, your benefits can still be denied.

Employees can apply for refund of their UI Tax portion if they qualify. They were employed by 2 or more employers that contribute to UI, withholding exceeded the annual employee tax, your refund exceeds $5, refund filed by Dec. 31st of the year following the year deductions were made, and is accompanied by W-2s.

Washington and Idaho employees do not pay UI Tax.

Although states may differ slightly on certain taxes they impose on their working citizens, employers are ultimately responsible for paying UI Tax. PERIOD! And the state in question is FLORIDA!

Jay demanded to be paid from a fund that he assumed he contributed to or had a right to. Since he doesn't contribute to UI funds, the question becomes does he deserve to receive it? We don't know. The denial letter will tell Jay what the reason was. If he knows for a fact the reason is totally false, he can file an appeal. If the hearing officer denies Jay's claim, he can appeal to the Review Board. If that fails, he can file to the Superior Court.

"Work At Will" to be defined:

Work at Will is not agaist federal law.

Your employment is voluntary in Work at Will states. You can leave your job without notice and you CAN be terminated for any reason, EXCEPT for when the reason is as follows (and you have documented evidence to back it up):

Discrimination based on race, sex, age, religious beliefs.

Retaliation or Whistleblower Act

Refusal to take a lie detector test. Doesn't apply to certain government employees.

Alien Status

Complaints on OSHA violations

Violations of Public Policy

Jay just should've educated himself on UI policies and his rights before ranting in the manner that he did. If Jay does indeed deserve his benefits, then he needs to do all he can to get them. And yes, apply for other government benefits or just find another job.

Most people just b***h and moan because they didn't get what they THOUGHT they deserved. And those people deserve EVERYTHING and they want it RIGHT NOW!

If you were done injustice, educate yourself first and then take action.

Nicole,

I think you need to post that paystub here. Black out your last name, and SS# and scan it in and send it to Ed.

I have lived all over this country and have never seen an employee paying for unemployment insurance.

I think you are giving us bad information here.

Are you an actual employee? Do you get a W-2 or a 1099?

Also, the "at will" status has absolutely nothing to do with unemployment insurance or obtaining payments.

Please post this Federal Law that prohibits the OWNER of the job from terminating the employee. There is no such law. The jobs belong to the employer, and NOBODY can force the owner of the jobs to continue employment for anyone.

Being "terminated without cause", simply means the employers Unemployment Insurance will have to provide benefits to the FORMER employee.

You have been collecting UI every year? Great. I can see you have a wonderful work ethic.

I am currently drawing unemployment through the State of Florida, and have done at least once a year for the past four years.

I have experienced Florida's "employee at will" practices first hand, working as a recruiter at a temporary service as well as being in the Florida workforce.

The practice of "Employee at Will" goes against Federal Law in most cases, giving employers what they think is a "free for all" to terminate employees for any reason. Federal law states that you cannot be terminated without just cause.

There is definitely a conflict between Federal and some states' laws. When the two laws conflict, Federal law is supposed to supercede state law. That does not always happen in the State of Florida. And getting someone to stand up for your rights is d**n near impossible. (Most employees in Florida are "ambulance chasers", and only want to represent wrongful death and SERIOUS injury claims. Justice doesn't seem to matter anymore.)

What I have learned from experience as well as the Department of Families and Children, is to always appeal your unemployment claim denial. If that fails, appeal again. Eventually the system gets tired of your fighting and you can win. You should be given a contact with your unemployment denial. I have received unemployment after several denials by hanging in there and keeping up the fight.

Don't forget to go and sign up for Food Stamp Assistance and every government program you qualify for. This seems to help. You will have to go to the workforce center to sign up for employment assistance, which can be a hassle, but it is worth it. If you have never been to the Florida workforce centers, you should try them. They have computers for you to do job searches, and a fax machine you can use to fax your resume as well as unemployment appeals.

You can go to myflorida.com, and search unemployment to read all of the unemployment facts and learn more about the appeal process. You can also find out about the government programs you may qualify for and even apply online.

The State of Florida sucks most of the time, but it is not all bad. It is just that consumers and citizens don't know what rights they have. We basically have to become our own attorneys to defend our own rights.

Research, research, research, and never, ever quit fighting for your rights!

Not all states are the same. I am from Alaska. My unemployment insurance is deducted from my pay check. There is a little line that says "unemp ins" $xxx . And my check is xxx less. Its no big deal though, its never more than a tiny percent of what I make. But its not just Alaska that does this. Washington did too. So did Idaho. Just thought I would let you know, in case someone came from outside Florida.

Jay,

We simply gave you the facts on the things that you were grossly misinformed on.

Also, unemployment insurance is paid on an entire group of employees, and the rates to the employer change at certain intervals of numbers of employees.

The government does not get any of the money. It is put in a fund that the state administers.

The 2 major points we cleared up is that:

1). Employees do not pay for unemployment insurance.

2). Right to work has nothing to do with unemployment.

Knowledge is power, and being educated goes a long way in getting the things you deserve.

We were trying to empower you to get your unemployment.

We were not here to insult you, and you should not lash out at us with vulgarity and insults. That is the sign of a weak person.

There are people that believe that they are SO smart but cant think for s**t, if I don't work an employer can not pay on my BEHALF to the state for unemployment insurance, which means if I do not have an employemnt position the goverment would get squat on my behalf. Also I was unjustly terminated by someone who has personal relations with the actual owner. So does that REALLY understand and have the knowledge I welcome your comments for ALL those that are ignorant people with nothing better to do then try to make themselves feel better "Go work for the unemployment office'!

What was the reason you were denied? Your denial letter will give you the specific reason.

There are qualifying factors in obtaining unemployment benefits.

And unemployment benefits are derived from an unemployment insurance policy your employer pays in to.

If you quit, in most cases you cannot get unemployment benefits.

If you provoke your firing or exhibit direct insubordination, you cannot get benefits.

And you have qualifying "quarters" which means you have to have a specific time working before you can obtain benefits.

For example if this was your first job in your life, and you were fired in your first month, you could not get benefits.

I live in FL and collected with no problem.

Denise is right about educating yourself before making a post like this.

The term "right to work" is nothing more than an anti union law to promote low wages through what is promoted by the special interests as workers rights. Right to work is a joke.

Back in the days of mandatory union membership to work in a union shop, people could actually make a living.

Right to work kills unions and lowers wages, and keeps the rich getting richer and the working man broke.

Jay,


Employers/Businesses pay Unemployment Tax; Not You! Employers can deny payment, it's THEIR money! And there's usually certain conditions you must meet in order to receive UI benefits.

If you really believe you're entitled to benefits, file an appeal and appoint a hearing.

Florida may be a Right To Work state, but it doesn't mean what you think it does.

"Right To Work" means that employers cannot, make as a condition of your employment, force you to join or not join a labor union. If you join or not, they cannot terminate your employment. If they do, you can receive compensation for fees that you incurred.

You might also be confusing "Right To Work" with "Work At Will". "Work At Will" means your employment is seen as voluntary, by both yourself and the employer. Either of you at any time can terminate your employment.


CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Jay my mother was recently terminanted from her job terminated for 3 years with this nursing job with an agency, she wasn't getting 40 hour work weeks like all the other employees they just decided they did not want my mother working for them anymore & they terminanted her. She called out sick one weekend & they got mad & terminanted her & lied about her why she was fired when she applied for unemployment the hearing officer was not fair toward her allowing the employer to talk over her I need to state this my mom worked for an agency they she worked on a daily basis when they needed her & she wasn't getting 40 hours each week like she needed to make it, before she was terminanted she was getting little work mabye one or two days each week & it was @ a hospital out of town which we had to stay @ a realitives house for her to work but my mother got sick with the flu & could not drive, during the unemployment hearing her former employer said she did this stuff which she didn't accused her of talking to them very abusive & agressive over the phone & they had a withness of my mother making these supposedly verbal abusive phone calls is the reason for terminantion, & the hearing officer denied my mother unemployment she appealed this decision to the board review & they done the same thing they falsified a decision like the hearing officer as done & the hearing officer said what I read in the court transcript that she was not going to use the withness because the phone calls were made after the discharge & know the board says the office mananger, supplied information that the calls were made before the terminantion. Her employer kepted making false statements & changing the story & my mother pointed everything out & the hearing officer still made a falsified decision & ruled in favor of the employer & the board review done the same thing! made a falsified decision, times are tuff for my mother know if i could i would go out & get a part time job to help my mother out I can go to truck driving school & learn to be a truck driver because its hard on me to money is very hard to come by i pray to god that he will make a miracle happen to get my mother out of this situation my mother knows how to fight agaisnt this type stuff cause she as got a new house & new car to pay for & buy food for the both of us & other bills she can't lose this house because of this lying employer christmas was short who cares about christmas anymore i don't, i feel sorry for my mother & it hurts me that they would do this to her because she is a single mother after just getting this new house my mother might lose it & we would have to go live in a homeless shelter tlll my mother can get back on her feet the only money she might have let is to pay the car payment & gas at least we have a vehicle to drive in instead of a house to live in which my mother will have to work & hold a new job for three years before she can get another house, I pray to god that he will make a miracle & we will win the lottery so my mother would not have to pur up with greedy employers who are only out for themsevles!. Like the poor saps in alabama & georgia like us like my mother with no real support of the state of any injustices committed by her employers who only care for themselves @ least they don't have to worry about being poor & living on the streets like they are many homeless people & I am beginning to feel we will be the next homeless people of phenix city & columbus ga.