Buyouts and Voluntary Separations: When Leaving Gets You Benefits in Ohio

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Buyouts and Voluntary Separations: When Leaving Gets You Benefits in Ohio

Most employees who voluntarily leave their jobs cannot collect unemployment benefits in Ohio. But there's a crucial exception: if you accept a buyout or voluntary separation package offered because of a lack of work, you can still qualify for benefits under R.C. 4141.29(D)(2)(a)(ii). This exception has helped thousands of Ohio workers bridge the gap between a voluntary departure and their next opportunity.

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Temporary Agency Workers' Rights: When Ohio Law Requires You to Check Back

/ Law Offices of Brian J. Smith, ltd/
Temporary Agency Workers' Rights: When Ohio Law Requires You to Check Back

If you work through a temporary staffing agency in Ohio, you face a unique requirement that doesn't apply to other workers. Under R.C. 4141.29(A)(5), if your employment agreement requires you to contact the agency for new assignments after each job ends, failing to do so can disqualify you from unemployment benefits—even if no suitable work was actually available.

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Hearsay Evidence in Ohio Unemployment Hearings: Why Your Live Testimony Beats Written Statements

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Hearsay Evidence in Ohio Unemployment Hearings: Why Your Live Testimony Beats Written Statements

In Ohio unemployment hearings, showing up and testifying under oath gives you a significant advantage over employers who rely on written statements from absent witnesses. While hearsay evidence is admissible in these proceedings, Ohio law recognizes a fundamental truth: sworn testimony from someone present at the hearing typically outweighs written statements from people who don't appear.

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Work Search Requirements vs. Reality: Defending Claimants Against Unrealistic ODJFS Demands

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Work Search Requirements vs. Reality: Defending Claimants Against Unrealistic ODJFS Demands

Ohio law requires most unemployment claimants to apply for work with at least two employers per week. This sounds simple enough, but ODJFS's enforcement often goes beyond what the law actually requires, creating traps for unsuspecting claimants who believe they're following the rules.

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No Burden of Proof: How Ohio's Unique Standard Helps Unemployment Claimants

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No Burden of Proof: How Ohio's Unique Standard Helps Unemployment Claimants

If you're facing an unemployment compensation hearing in Ohio, you have a powerful advantage that doesn't exist in courtrooms: no burden of proof. Understanding how this unique standard works can make the difference between winning and losing your appeal.

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Fighting Fraudulent Misrepresentation Charges in Ohio Unemployment Cases

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Fighting Fraudulent Misrepresentation Charges in Ohio Unemployment Cases

Being accused of fraudulent misrepresentation in an Ohio unemployment case is far more serious than a simple benefits denial. The consequences can follow you for years, affecting your financial stability and future eligibility for benefits. If you're facing these charges, understanding both the severity of the penalties and your defense options is crucial.

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Multiple Reasons for Quitting: How Ohio Courts Protect Workers' Unemployment Benefit Rights

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Multiple Reasons for Quitting: How Ohio Courts Protect Workers' Unemployment Benefit Rights

When most people think about quitting their job, they often struggle to pinpoint a single, overwhelming reason that drove their decision. Real life is messy—workplace problems tend to accumulate, personal circumstances change, and the final decision to leave often stems from a combination of factors rather than one dramatic incident.

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Fired for Breaking a Rule? Your Employer's Inconsistent Enforcement Could Save Your Unemployment Benefits

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Fired for Breaking a Rule? Your Employer's Inconsistent Enforcement Could Save Your Unemployment Benefits

Being terminated for violating a company rule can feel devastating, especially when you're facing the possibility of being denied unemployment benefits. However, if your employer didn't consistently enforce that rule with all employees, you may still be eligible for benefits even though you technically broke a workplace policy.

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Transportation and Ohio Unemployment Benefits: Understanding the Challenges

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Transportation and Ohio Unemployment Benefits: Understanding the Challenges

Transportation problems can create significant barriers to receiving unemployment benefits in Ohio, affecting both your initial eligibility and your ongoing qualification for weekly benefits. Understanding how Ohio law treats transportation issues is crucial for anyone facing these challenges, as the state places the burden of securing adequate transportation squarely on the employee.

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: How Does Severance Pay Affect Your Weekly Benefits?

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: How Does Severance Pay Affect Your Weekly Benefits?

Losing a job can be a stressful experience, and understanding how different types of payments you receive upon separation can impact your eligibility for unemployment benefits is crucial. Severance pay is a common example that can significantly affect your weekly unemployment benefits. This post will explain how separation or termination pay is treated under Ohio unemployment law and specifically discuss how its allocation affects your ability to collect weekly benefits.

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: Are You "Available for Suitable Work" to Receive Weekly Benefits?

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: Are You "Available for Suitable Work" to Receive Weekly Benefits?

As an applicant for unemployment benefits in Ohio, meeting the eligibility requirements is essential not only when you first file your claim but also each week you certify for benefits. You must be both "able to work" and "available for suitable work" during each week claimed. While the "able to work" requirement focuses on your physical capacity, the "available for suitable work" requirement deals with your readiness, willingness, and accessibility to the job market.

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: Are You "Able to Work" to Receive Weekly Benefits?

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Understanding Ohio Unemployment: Are You "Able to Work" to Receive Weekly Benefits?

Applying for unemployment benefits in Ohio requires meeting certain criteria, not just when you first apply, but also on a weekly basis to continue receiving payments. One crucial requirement is that you must be "able to work" each week for which you claim benefits. This isn't always as straightforward as it might sound, especially if you have health issues or restrictions.

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How Progressive Discipline Policies Affect Your Ohio Unemployment Benefits

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How Progressive Discipline Policies Affect Your Ohio Unemployment Benefits

If your employer has a progressive discipline policy, it could significantly impact your eligibility for unemployment benefits after termination. Understanding how Ohio courts evaluate these policies in unemployment cases can make the difference between receiving benefits or being denied.

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Ohio Unemployment Benefits for Education Employees: Between-Terms Rules Explained

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Ohio Unemployment Benefits for Education Employees: Between-Terms Rules Explained

For education employees in Ohio, the rules governing unemployment benefits during breaks between academic terms can be complex. Understanding these "between-terms" provisions is crucial for teachers, administrative staff, and other education workers who may find themselves without work during summer breaks or other periods.

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