# What happens now? (getting unemployment question) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 3, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411 "2003-02-03T02:19:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/1 "2003-02-03T02:19:18Z")
I work at an Indian casino in CT. They use a point system where you accumulate points, for example, for calling in sick when you don’t have a doctor’s excuse or when you don’t have any leave left. I’ve worked there for five years and have have at times been a couple of points away from being fired. Well, two weeks ago I needed 3 more points and I got sick and called out three days. I didn’t go to the doc as I was in bed with a bad chest cold. Today I went in and they had my firing papers ready; but, they said the big honcho wasn’t there to sign them so could I work today and come back monday. Meanwhile, an appeal is apparently mandatory. Anyway, that isn’t for two weeks. The Unemployment Department website says I can apply for unemployment when I’m suspended but I can’t get it until I get my “pink slip”. So I’m wondering if this means I am in limbo with no pay until the appeal. This doesn’t seem fair; how can they just take away my income and keep me from getting unemployment as well? I am so fed up with these people. They don’t have to follow the Fair Labor Standards Act because they are on a reservation. One more question: if I’m fired I have to have a EDD “hearing” over the phone to determine the reason I was fired. Do I have to wait to get benefits until the hearing is completed? I am afraid I won’t have any income for a couple of weeks, which is bad news. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/2 "2003-02-03T02:46:28Z")
I suspect that no one on this board will know, because the exemptions from the FLSA put this beyond most of our realms. Your best bet is to find a labor lawyer who knows about how that stuff works, and ask him/her to look into your situation. If you can’t afford a lawyer, there are plenty of legal aid groups that will be glad to help you out. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/3 "2003-02-03T02:55:44Z")
You might call the unemployment office and ask. They aren’t against you. They don’t make the decisions. They are there to help you. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/4 "2003-02-03T05:54:20Z")
I believe you have to be unemployed for 2 weeks before you’re entitled to benefits anyway, but call your local office and find out. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/5 "2003-02-03T06:09:14Z")
[Try this fellow.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=146949&highlight=unemployment) ---
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-now-getting-unemployment-question/152411/6 "2003-02-03T07:34:26Z")
Thanks viva 😃