Unemployment question

[Anonymous]

Our nanny of 4 years will begin with a new family this fall because our kids are going into preschool. She's known for over a year and I helped her find a new position. I left it up her to decide when she wanted her last day to be (we don't really need her last Sept 1, but I'm willing to keep her on until her new job starts). Today she told us that she plans to work for us through Sept and then collect unemployment until her new job starts a month later. I'm kind of stunned and trying to figure out what our next step should be. Are we better off just paying her through October or let her take her chances with getting unemployment? Could she even collect for such a short period when she already has another job? Worried about our taxes going up should we hire another nanny in the future.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

She cannot collect unemployment if she quits, which is what she is doing since you are willing to keep her on until her new job starts.

When she applies for unemployment, you will be sent a form wherein you have to indicate whether she was fired for cause, laid off, or quit. DO NOT LIE. While it's not likely that you would be found out, the consequences are not worth it. Tell your nanny that you are sorry, but you cannot lie for her, so if she wants to stay with you until her new job starts, she's welcome to do so.

[Anonymous]

She's quitting, so she can't get unemployment. She will fill out the unemployment application and a copy will be sent to you to verify what she says about why she's no longer working. You can contest it..

Your nanny is basically trying to get a paid (through unemployment) vacation between jobs.

[Anonymous]

You were going to pay her all of September.
Her new job doesn't start until the beginning of November.
She told you she'll file for unemployment in between.

Did i get that right?
Did you tell her you were willing to pay her for October too?

I can't imagine anyone willing to take on unemployment for a month instead of getting her usual pay. Unless she's lazy and doesn't want to work for the month of October.

[Anonymous]

No, she's not eligible under the circumstances you describe. Honestly, I'd just answer any forms or questions you get honestly and let the chips fall where they may. It's not even a matter of contesting, just let her know that you'll have to answer honestly any questions you are asked

[Anonymous]

OP, I would contact unemployment office proactively after she leaves in case she has given wrong address or something..

[Anonymous]

All above is correct, I would just make sure she understands you are willing to keep her on through October. She may think she is being laid off because your kids are headed to school, but that does not sound like it's the case.

[Anonymous]

Just be sure to fill out the forms accurately OP. She likely will not be able to collect unemployment (though regulations do vary somewhat state to state). But almost all unemployment programs do not pay out when the applicant had so long of a notice period and was not fired. Also, w/ guaranteed employment starting that will work against her.

But, even if unemployment is awarded, the impact on you is pretty much negligible. Your unemployment taxes that you pay as an employer might go up an inifinitesimal amount (for such a short payout period) but it doesn't sound like you will be employing anyone else anyway so it's a moot point.

Don't make this your problem - just let her do whatever she wants, answer the forms honestly when you're asked, and that's it.

[Anonymous]

BE KIND. You let her go because your kids are going to preschool. She is entitled to unemployment. You do not pay anything when she collects. She was laid off. She's lucky she found another job so quickly. The only reason you would fight the unemployment would be to be an ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BE KIND. You let her go because your kids are going to preschool. She is entitled to unemployment. You do not pay anything when she collects. She was laid off. She's lucky she found another job so quickly. The only reason you would fight the unemployment would be to be an ass.

No. Be honest.

Don't lie because you think you're being kind, or because you're trying to dodge your taxes going up.

Just tell the truth.

Then the decision is out of your hands. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you are on the books, you have likely paid in more than she will collect in a month, or only a little less. Your tax rate would barely budge to cover it. It would be a cheap way to pay her some severance and let her take some time off.