Claimant, Who Had Been Diagnosed With Job-Related Stress, Did Not Have Good Cause to Resign

After a doctor diagnosed claimant with job-related stress and authorized a month’s leave from work, claimant resigned from his job.  The Third Department affirmed the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s finding claimant was not eligible for unemployment insurance on the ground he left his employment without good cause:

It is well settled that general dissatisfaction with a job or the inability to get along with a supervisor does not constitute good cause for leaving one’s employment … .   Here, claimant expressed extreme displeasure with his work environment as well as the demeanor of his supervisor, which undoubtedly contributed to the stress he was experiencing. While his physician provided him with a note setting forth medical reasons justifying a  leave of  absence,  claimant  did  not receive medical advice to quit his job … .   Moreover, although claimant  cited safety concerns  as another  reason  for his leaving, his supervisor testified that he  accepted  claimant’s suggestions concerning  the  operation  of the  machinery  and  did  not  have  him engage in potentially dangerous work practices. Matter of Bielak v Commissioner of Labor, 514536, 3rd Dept, 4-18-13