What is considered good cause for leaving an employer? How much verbal abuse and name calling are you expected to take?

Question

My mgr approached me in the middle of the store where I was working yelling at me in front of all the other employees and customers because I needed to get off 2 hours early to take my daughter to the doctor. He laughed at me as he told me that I could not go. Then he called me a name and told me that I should leave before I got myself in trouble. I opened my cash drawer and tried to go count my till but he snatched my cash drawer from my hands and again told me to go. I clocked out and walked across the st where the owner of the store was and told him what happened since he was the only person with authority over my mgr. He told me to go ahead and take my child to the dr and he would talk to my mgr. He wrote down my phone number and said he would call me and tell me what to do. I have still not received a call. This incident occurred 3/31/17. I applied for unemployment but my employer says I left voluntarily without good cause so it was denied and I have now appealed that decision.

Jeremy R. Summerlin · Answer

Typically, SC DEW includes the statutory definition of "good cause" on the form that you were sent that denied you benefits.  In general, the good cause requirement will be satisfied if your reason for leaving was due to unsafe working conditions or job tasks, a violation of your employment agreement, or compelling family reasons. However, you must be able to show that you explored all other options, but were left with no choice other than to quit. For example, if your working conditions posed a threat to your health and safety and your employer refused to do anything about it, this would likely qualify as good cause. On the other hand, quitting because you weren’t happy with the pay would not qualify as good cause.

Q: What is considered good cause for leaving an employer? How much verbal abuse and name calling are you expected to take?