On the verge of a walkout!

[paschwhi]

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

I work in a brokerage firm which consists of my boss and myself, his assistant, and for the past 1 1/2 years another broker. I have worked here for 4 years and 75% of the time am left to work the office alone anywhere from 1 hour to 2 weeks. I am capable and have the authority and knowledge to do any type of transaction that the clients might require. My problem is that the broker that has been here 1 1/2 years has still not learned even how to open an account and has me do all his trades and other paperwork. However he does stay on the phone with friends and family and has even given them the office 800 number to call him; he contributes nothing to the office, ie: bottled water, office supplies, trash take-out, etc., but contributes to his own pleasure (I have walked in on him surfing porno sites).
Background - he is a friend of my boss from years back (they used to work in a bank together, has been out of work and his wife has been supporting him, his children are grown. My boss brought him on board, gave him a book of clients to handle to help him get on his feet. He does not work the clients, has added no new ones and will not even attempt to follow direction to build his book and start contributing his share of office expenses.
I have talked to my boss about all of this. I haven't had a vacation in a year and a half, no raise in two years, I get no paid holidays, vacations or benefits - But I have sat back and watched him shoulder the expense for his friend, pay his phone bills, office expenses and sometimes other incidentals not to mention the book of business with commission trails which has totaled more than half a years pay for me. My boss has been a doormat and does not have the backbone to stand up to his friend, now business associate. My work ethics are very strong and I get very irritated, frustrated and angry watching this happen day in and day out.
If I quit and could not find a job immediately, would I be eligible for unemployment since I quit because the work conditions were unbearable?

 

[cbg]

"Can I get unemployment" is one of those questions that CANNOT be answered with accuracy on a bulletin board. Every state differs in what it considers "good cause" to quit (which is not the same as having a good reason to quit) and they are very situation specific.

The general rule of thumb is, if you quit, you don't get benefits. Perhaps this will mean more to you with the explanation that in many states, if you quit because you are following your spouse to another state, you don't get unemployment benefits.

Although I am by no means setting the list I have up as the last word in unemployment answers, I see nothing in the Oklahoma listing to indicate that dissatisfaction with the way your boss is handling an issue with your co-worker, would be sufficient reason to grant you benefits.

I am sympathetic to your situation and I agree that you have a good reason to be looking for another job. That does not translate to the state of Oklahoma agreeing that you would be without work through no fault of your own.

Only someone at the Oklahoma UC can give you a definitive answer. However, I will be extremely surprised if you are eligible for benefits under the circumstances you describe.

 

[paschwhi]

Thank you for your input. I realize that normally you can't draw benefits in a "quit" situation but thought that maybe consideration is given when the reasons for quitting were unbearable conditions that were leading to excessive stress and anxiety.
Again, thank you. I believe I will just start my search for a better job and forego any additional stress.

 

[cbg]

The problem is that "unbearable conditions" is subjective. What you consider unbearable and what I would, are not necessarily the same.

There are people who think it's unbearable when they're told they can't have one particular day off. Other people will continue working under conditions that would make most people walk out in a rage.

Given this, it would be truly unfair if the state allowed an individual to determine for themselves what consituted an unbearable situation, for purposes of unemployment. If they did, anyone who had something happen they claimed they didn't like, could get benefits claiming "unbearable stress". There HAS to be an objective line, and most states rate it pretty high.

 

[paschwhi]

Excellent point! I never looked at it in that light. Thank you.

 

[cbg]

Glad I could help. Good luck in finding something new.

 

[JETX]

Just curious.... your initial post said he "has me do all his trades and other paperwork."

What if you were to refuse to do his work for him, tactfully advising him that it is time for him to stand 'on his own'. You might even formalize this with a VERY polite, factual (no personal attacks, no mention of porno, etc.) letter/memo with a copy to the boss. If you are then terminated due to this, you would be far more likely to qualify for UE compensation then your just quitting.

 

[paschwhi]

Actually I have tried to get him to "stand on his own". When something needs to be done I e-mail him what it is and the best way to go about doing it and then I copy my boss. He ignores the messages. I ask my boss to ask him for a status on it since he will not give me an answer and he ignores him, which my boss accepts (he reallly does not know how to handle any sticky situations, especially with friends, and will back down) then informs me to "just go ahead and get it done."
Most of the time (90%) clients will call or come in and this man is unavailable because he is on a personal call or out running personal errands (I do not exaggerate this). When this happens, I do not believe in the client suffering and not getting their trade done or whatever when they ask (I think how I would feel as a client). Therefore I honor their requests instead of telling them to wait until they can catch their broker.
As far as being terminated, I actually don't believe that would happen even if I didn't do my work. The girl that I replaced worked here for 2 years and did nothing, by the indication of the condition of the files and office as well as my boss saying so himself. (He has no backbone)!

 

[Beth3]

How about finding a new job BEFORE you quit? That's what most of us do when we determine a change of employer is in order.

cbg is correct in advising you that it is extremely unlikely you would qualify for UC benefits if you voluntarily resign under these circumstances.

 

[paschwhi]

As I said previously, I believe I'll begin looking. In my previous 30 years of work experience I've never applied for benefits and just knew nothing about that part of the system.

If I tolerate alot at this point it is only for the benefit of the client's satisfaction and the thought of what they have to look forward to when there is no one in the office to look after their interests. I am not irreplaceable but know that the training process of a new person does not happen overnight.