Reasons for Refusal of Temporary Job Not Sufficient; Claimant Disqualified
The Third Department upheld the disqualification of an unemployment-insurance claimant who refused a temporary job offer because the pay was lower than at his previous temporary job and a 20-mile commute was required:
“A claimant who refuses to accept a job for which he or she is reasonably suited by training and experience will be disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance benefits” …. Here, the record confirms that claimant was qualified for the job offered to him and the position paid the prevailing wage …. As for claimant’s rejection of the job offer due to its location, “dissatisfaction with the length of one’s commute does not constitute good cause for rejecting an otherwise suitable offer of employment” … Notably, claimant admitted receiving the unemployment insurance handbook explaining his obligations regarding reasonable commuting distances under these circumstances. Matter of Neuman, 509590, 3rd Dept, 4-18-13