questions & answers

Question: My former employer is verbally abusive on a daily basis and creates an extremely hostile workplace. After tolerating this for 6 months, I finally gave him my 2 week notice. He proceeded to say 'No, I'll end this right here' asked me for my key and walked me out. I then filed for unemployment, which has since been denied. I'm sure he said I quit, which is not the case. This person also made advances to my 16 ear old daughter when she was at work with me over the summer. Do I have a claim? I'm having a hard time getting a response from local attorney's.

Answer: 1) Denial of Unemployment Benefits: In Arizona, applications for and appeals related to Unemployment Benefits are processed by the Department of Arizona Economic Security. Unemployment Insurance (UI) is paid to an individual (claimant) who meets eligibility requirements under the law. Initial decisions about UI benefits are generally issued through a Determination of Deputy. An interested party who disagrees with the Determination of Deputy has the right to appeal and have a hearing. 2) Harassment Claim: Under Arizona law, in order to establish a claim for "harassment" (A.R.S. § 13-2921) A person commits harassment if they act with intent to harass or with knowledge that the person is harassing another person where harassment is defined as conduct that is directed at a specific person and that would cause a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed and the conduct in fact seriously alarms, annoys or harasses the person. In order to determine if you and/or your daughter have a claim, it is recommended that you consult an attorney.