As I understand the complex new laws impacting all of your employment concerns, there is no way that you will be able to stay out on unemployment compensation if you refuse to go back to your job.

Yes. Why? Because Florida is an “at will” state, which means private employers are free to hire, transfer, promote, demote, suspend, reinstate, fire and rehire employees for any reason at any time, i.e., “at will.” The only thing ANY employers cannot do is make any of these adverse... View More

I believe I answered another question you asked here. The answer to this one is no, assuming the trier of fact were to believe your testimony, you are not legally obligated to return the money.

Yes, a verbal agreement could, if the judge or jury believes the evidence that would prove that agreement, "stand up in court" and be enforced. Did you agree to pay back the relocation fees if you were to quit before a set amount of time had elapsed?

As far as I know--having represented unemployed people for may years--anyone can file an application seeking U/C benefits using Florida's (very confusing) online system--or by downloading the forms and filing the documents by hand. Whether you will receive the benefits depends upon many... View More

This pandemic situation is very difficult for everyone involved, including your bosses who are at work on the job too. You are obviously one of the best employees--or else you would be sitting at home with the rest of the employees not asked to come in.

There is nothing "legal"... View More

If your pulmonologist diagnoses you with a respiratory illness that affects the major life activity of breathing, it may qualify as a disability under the ADA. If so, you would be able to request a reasonable accommodation of working from home based on the disability. However, this is hypothetical... View More

Yes. Unless you go back to work you may lose your unemployment benefits--and will not be able to re-file for another full year. Be thankful you have a job.

Your question does not include enough information to analyze whether your employer has acted unlawfully. If the problem you mention is related to a medical condition, you may be able to seek an accommodation that would allow you to return to work, or to extend your leave from work without losing... View More

If you have filed for unemployment compensation and are receiving it the DEO might try to cut it off or possibly take back whatever amount received since May 11.

If you have not yet filed for unemployment compensation do not be afraid to do so; many employers are using this pandemic to... View More

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Fraud may be actionable under the federal False Claims Act. Examples of potential fraud include: (1) an employer applying for a SBA PPP loan, despite not meeting the financial criteria; (2) the employer misrepresenting its payroll numbers to obtain a PPP loan; (3)... View More

This is not a legal question. IMO, you should focus on getting your stuff back and stop seeking "legal" advice online.

You are focusing on a side issue rather than the main one: You employer is TRYING to save jobs. Stop trying to argue about new PPP laws that no lawyers understand yet. Go buy groceries before America's entire food chain collapses.

The EEOC has opined that employers may require COVID-19 testing for employees if conducted in a non-discriminatory manner. The DOL has opined that time spent by current employees traveling to and from required (non-voluntary) medical tests, waiting for and undergoing these tests is... View More

Receiving unemployment will not affect your eligibility for green card.

You should wait until you receive something from the DEO Unemployment Claims Division; filing multiple claims does nothing to change your status or eligibility for benefits. Lesson learned: All "independent contractors" do themselves great harm in exchange for the slightly higher income... View More

Employers do not pay unemployment benefits directly; the State’s do. File for unemployment and see what happens.

Probably not. You should also be concerned about insurance, both automotive and worker's compensation. If the company is not paying you for this time I would question whether their insurance carriers would pay an insurance claim.

Yes it is certainly legal for your employer to notify you (and all other employees) that they need to do a better job tending to the horses. Why?

Because Florida is an “at will” state, which means employers are free to hire, transfer, promote, demote, suspend, reinstate, fire and... View More

Since you already have a lawyer we cannot interfere. I strongly suggest you stay with your lawyer, because hiring a different lawyer will send you all the way back to square number one.