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Maryland Unemployment Decisions Digest - Appeals

FOREWORD

When an individual files for unemployment insurance benefits with the Maryland Department of Labor, determinations of both monetary and nonmonetary eligibility are issued pursuant to the Maryland Annotated Code, Labor and Employment Article, Title 8, Unemployment Insurance. The monetary determination informs the claimant which wages are considered in establishing the claimant’s weekly benefit amount. The nonmonetary determination addresses the claimant’s eligibility for benefits based on a number of factors, most notably the reason for the claimant’s separation from employment and the claimant’s availability for work.

Section 8-503 of the law provides that an individual who files a claim for benefits or an employer entitled to notice of the determination of the claim may file an appeal to the Lower Appeals Division from both monetary and nonmonetary determinations. This first level of appeal is heard by a hearing examiner. Section 8-5A-05 of the unemployment insurance law provides that the Board of Appeals shall hear and decided appeals from decisions of the Lower Appeals Division and claims for benefits referred by the Secretary under Section 8-5A-09 of the law.

Upon receipt of the hearing examiner’s decision, the claimant or the employer has a right to file a further appeal or may petition for further review, to the three-member Board of Appeals. The Board is empowered to review the hearing examiner’s decision on the record, to hold a de novo hearing or to hold an additional hearing. The Board’s written decision is appealable to the Circuit Court, but the Court’s review is limited to the record. The Board and the hearing examiners hear and decide over 30,000 cases each year.

Pursuant to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Section 09.32.06.05, decisions of the Board of Appeals designated as precedent by the Board constitute legal precedent for the hearing examiner’s decisions. The decisions whose summaries are included in this Digest have been so designated by the Board.

In response to the growing volume of appealed cases and the corresponding number of requests for information about Board precedents, the first Digest of Maryland Unemployment Insurance Decisions was issued in 1985. It was prepared both as a tool to assist the hearing examiners and also as a tool for claimants, employers and their representatives to use in preparing for and in presenting unemployment insurance cases. An update was issued in 1987. After 1987, many changes in the law were enacted, including the recodification of the Unemployment Insurance statute. In 1996, in order to ensure that the Digest remained a viable product, a completely revised Digest was published in partnership with the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL). The passage of time, the statutory separation of the Board of Appeals from the hearing examiners with the creation of the Lower Appeals Division, changes in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law and new COMAR regulations have necessitated some revisions.

Although the 2020 Digest has been reorganized, the basic format remains the same. The Digest contains summaries of Board of Appeals precedent decisions on those sections of the law most used by the hearing examiners. Each section of the law contains an introductory portion that cites important court cases as well. In addition, there is a separate section on court cases. Each section has its own Table of Contents, in which the issues which most often arise are set out analytically.

The full text of each Board decision included in the 2020 Digest may be acquired by emailing to the following email address: dluiboardprecedents-labor@maryland.gov The Board’s citation will indicate whether the case was reviewed on the record (BR) or whether a new hearing was held (BH or SE). The link to the Table of Cases can be found at the end of the Table of Contents. Cases which are currently available online are highlighted and underlined.

There are many individuals who worked on the current update of this Digest. First and foremost, the Board thanks our two Associate Editors, Justin Liberatore and Ryan Maher, who were graciously loaned to the Board by the University of Baltimore School of Law. Without their assistance this Digest would not have been possible. The Board also recognizes Daniel J. Doherty III, the Board’s Legal Counsel, who coordinated and oversaw the many phases of this project. Chairman Mitchell and Associate Member Burns especially thank Associate Member Eileen Rehrmann, whose leadership and organizational services as the Precedent Manual Project Liaison during the lengthy COVID pandemic state of emergency were invaluable in bringing this project to a successful conclusion.

Board of Appeals

Clayton A. Mitchell, Sr., Esquire, Chairman
Eileen Rehrmann, Associate Member
Kimberly McCoy Burns, Esquire, Associate Member
October, 2020
Designation of Precedent Decision Digest

COVERED EMPLOYMENT - SECTIONS 8-101(i), 8-201

WAGES - SECTION 8-101(aa)

UNEMPLOYMENT STATUS - SECTION 8-801

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Separation Not Required
      2. Partial Unemployment
    2. PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES FOR WHICH WAGES ARE PAYABLE
      1. Performance of Less Than Full-Time Work
      2. Performance of Services
      3. Wages Payable
      4. Back Pay and Liquidated Damages As Wages
    3. SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND CORPORATE OWNERSHIP
      1. Self-Employment
      2. Corporate Officer Status
      3. Burden of Proof
      4. Ownership Status

MONETARY ELIGIBILITY - SECTIONS 8-802, 8-803

TIMELY AND VALID APPEAL - SECTIONS 8-806, 8-510

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Actual Notice of Determination
      2. Mailing of Appeal
      3. Burden of Proof
    2. GOOD CAUSE
      1. Good Cause Determination by Hearing Examiner
      2. Late Receipt of Determination or Decision
      3. Improper Address
      4. Presumption of Delivery
      5. Inability to Comprehend Determination
      6. Improper Notice
      7. Illness or Other Emergency
      8. Appeal Not Taken or Lost
      9. Incorrect or Misleading Information from Agency
    3. CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH GOOD CAUSE IS NOT SUPPORTED
      1. Confusion or Misunderstanding
      2. Relocation Without Notice
      3. Inaction by Authorized Representative
      4. Failure to Act Upon Actual Notice
    4. APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS
      1. Good Cause Not Recognized
      2. Improper Notice

RECOVERY OF BENEFITS - SECTION 8-809

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Time Limits on Recovery
      2. Sufficiency of Notice
      3. Overpayment Where Fraud is Not Found
    2. RETROACTIVE WAGES
      1. Back Pay
      2. Damages As Opposed to Back Pay
      3. Relation to Section 8-801

FRAUD - SECTIONS 8-809(b), 8-1301, 8-1305(b)(2)

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Burden of Proof
      2. Element of Intent
    2. ACTIONS WHICH CONSTITUTE FRAUD
      1. Failure to Report Wages
      2. Endorsing Benefit Checks
      3. Submission of False Documents
      4. False Statement

FILING PROPER CLAIMS - SECTION 8-901

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Claim Weeks Prior to Registration for Work
      2. Effect of Written Instructions
      3. Grace Period for Filing Claims
      4. Timely Attempts to Correct Errors
        1. Timely Communication to Agency
        2. Failure to Failure Agency Instructions
      5. Removal from Claim Status
    2. MITIGATING FACTORS
      1. Agency Errors or Misinformation
      2. Specific Agency Directions
      3. Employer's Failure to Provide Documents

REGISTERING AND REPORTING FOR WORK - SECTION 8-902

ABLE TO WORK, AVAILABLE FOR WORK AND ACTIVELY SEEKING WORK - SECTIONS 8-903, 8-904, 8-907

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Definition
      2. Exemptions
        1. Short-Term Layoffs
          1. Less Than 10 Weeks
          2. Less Than 26 Weeks
      3. Approved Training Programs
        Part-Time Employment
      4. Scope of Section 8-903 Penalty
      5. Effect of Private Agreements
      6. Temporary Agencies
    2. ABILITY TO WORK - HEALTH
      1. Physical Restrictions and Limitations
        1. In General
        2. Avoidance of Stress or Strain
        3. Physical Inability to Do Work
      2. Pregnancy
      3. Chronic Health Problems
      4. Temporary Illness
      5. Health Problems Not Affecting Job Performance
      6. Proof Required to Lift Penalty
        1. Medical Release
        2. Other Evidence
    3. AVAILABILITY FOR WORK
      1. In General
      2. Work-Related Issues
        1. Hours of Work
        2. Restrictions Caused by Other Employment
          1. Accepting Part-Time Work
          2. Self-Employment
          3. Corporate Officer
        3. Leave of Absence
          1. Voluntary
          2. Involuntary
        4. Future Employment
        5. Isolated, Temporary Activity
      3. Personal Issues
        1. Family Matters
          1. Child Care
          2. Illness of Child
          3. Elder Care
          4. Self-Imposed Restrictions
          5. Transportation
          6. Effect of Relocation of Claimant
      4. Attendance at School
        1. Limited Course of Study
        2. Flexible Schedule
    4. ACTIVE SEARCH FOR WORK
      1. Reasonable Search
        1. In General
        2. Number of Job Contacts Required
        3. Transportation
        4. Geographic Limitations
        5. Job Search Via the Internet
        6. Prevailing Labor Market Conditions
      2. Contractual Agreement Not to Seek Work

EMPLOYEES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS - SECTION 8-909

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Scope of Section 8-909 Disqualification
      2. Applicability of Section 8-909(b)
      3. Applicability of Section 8-909(c)
      4. Educational Institution and Educational Service Agency Under Section 8-909
    2. REASONABLE ASSURANCE
      1. In General
      2. Abolishment of Position or Termination
      3. Leave of Absence
      4. Substitute Teachers
      5. Twelve-Month Employees (No customary or established vacation period)
    3. VACATION OR HOLIDAY RECESS

VOLUNTARY QUIT - SECTION 8-1001

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. WHAT IS A VOLUNTARY QUIT?
      1. Intent to Quit
        1. In General
        2. Intent Shown by Words
        3. Intent Shown by Actions
        4. Resignation in Lieu of Discharge
        5. Resignation in Lieu of Facing Charges
      2. Refusal of Transfer or Demotion
      3. Leave of Absence
      4. Sale of Own Business
      5. Temporary Employment Agencies
      6. Employees on Strike
      7. Effect of Offering or Revoking a Resignation
      8. Discharge Prior to Effective Date of a Resignation
      9. "Buy-Out" Offers and Voluntary Layoffs
    2. GOOD CAUSE - IN GENERAL
      1. Connection with the Work
        1. Overall Conditions
        2. Health
        3. Distance
        4. Part-Time Work
      2. Specific Statutory Exclusions
        1. Self-Employment
        2. Accompanying or Joining a Spouse
        3. Attending an Educational Institution
      3. Religious Beliefs
    1. VALID CIRCUMSTANCES - IN GENERAL
      1. Substantial Cause Connected with the Work
      2. Necessitous or Compelling Other Reason
        1. Employee's Health
        2. Health of Another Individual
    1. BURDEN OF PROOF
      1. In General
      2. When Health Reasons Are at Issue
      3. Regarding Reasonableness of Employer's Actions
    1. GOOD CAUSE OR VALID CIRCUMSTANCES?
      1. Actions of the Employer
        1. Modifications of the Employment Contract or Agreement
          1. Detrimental Changes
            1. (1) In General
            2. (2) Change in Ownership
          2. Remuneration
            1. (1) Pay Rate
              1. (a) Wages Not Paid
              2. (b) Wages Paid Late
              3. (c) Changes in Method or Amount of Payment
            2. (2) Promise of a Raise
            3. (3) Deductions from Wages
            4. (4) Indemnification of Employer for Losses or Shortages
            5. (5) Reduction of Benefits
          3. Changes in Hours or Schedule
            1. (1) In General
            2. (2) Long Hours and Overtime
            3. (3) Reduction in Hours
          4. Change in Job Location
          5. Promotions and Demotions
          6. Change in Job Duties Only
        2. Discipline and Disciplinary Methods
          1. In General
          2. Rude or Abusive Discipline
          3. Forced Apologies
        3. Discrimination and Harassment
          1. Derogatory Racial Remarks
          2. Sexual Harassment
          3. Comparative Treatment
          4. Verbal Harassment
        4. Interference with Employee's Work
        5. Encroachment into Employee's Personal Life
        6. Employer's Business Practices
        7. Drug Screening
      2. Conditions of Employment
        1. General Dissatisfaction with the Job
        2. Hazardous Conditions
        3. Threats, Assaults and Crime
          1. By Employer
          2. By Coworkers
        4. Instability of Job or Business
          1. Job
          2. Business
        5. Leaving to Accept a Better Job
        6. Leaving Part-Time Work
      3. Personal Problems and Beliefs
        1. In General
          1. Necessitous or Compelling
          2. No Reasonable Alternative
        2. Transportation
        3. Distance from Work
        4. Health Problems
          1. In General
          2. Evidentiary Requirements
          3. Reasonable Alternatives
          4. Health of Another Individual
          5. Pregnancy
        5. Babysitting Problems
        6. Incarceration
        7. Leaving to Accompany or Join a Spouse

DISCHARGE - SECTIONS 8-1002, 8-1002.1, 8-1003

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. WHAT IS A DISCHARGE?
      1. What Constitutes a Discharge?
      2. Discharge or Quit?
        1. In General
        2. Resignation in Lieu of Discharge or to Avoid Facing Charges
        3. Failure to File Grievance or Appeal
        4. Claimant Accelerates Time of Discharge
        5. Employer Accelerates Time of Quit
        6. Voluntary Quit or Discharge?
          1. Loss of Ability to Drive
          2. Failure to Meet Occupational Requirements
            1. (1) Security Clearance
            2. (2) Required Courses/Certification
        7. Retirement Incentives
      3. Leave of Absence
      4. Discharge from a Temporary Agency
    2. MISCONDUCT OR GROSS MISCONDUCT?
      1. In General
      2. Intent or Willfulness
        1. Gross Misconduct Found
        2. Misconduct Found
        3. No Misconduct Found
      3. Misunderstanding
      4. Isolated Incidents
      5. Trivial or Inconsequential Act or Comment
      6. Cumulative Effect of Incidents
      7. Effect of Warnings and Condonation
        1. Warnings
        2. Condonation
      8. Discharge Motivated by Discrimination
    3. AGGRAVATED MISCONDUCT
    4. CONNECTED WITH THE WORK
      1. Breach of Duty
        1. Police Officers
        2. Correctional Officers and Security Personnel
        3. Fire Fighters
        4. Other Employees
      2. Off Duty Activity
      3. Criminal Activities and Convictions
      4. Conduct Prior to Employment
      5. Conduct After Discharge
    5. BURDEN OF PROOF
      1. In General - On the Employer
      2. When the Burden Shifts to the Employee
      3. Employer's Failure to Follow Technicalities of Its Own Discharge Procedures
    6. FAILURE TO PERFORM
      1. Failure to Perform Job Duties
        1. Inadequate Job Performance - In General
        2. Refusal to Perform; Insubordination
          1. Refusal to Obey a Direct Order or Instruction
            1. (1) Gross Misconduct Found
            2. (2) No Misconduct Found
          2. Refusal to Do One's Job
          3. Refusal Due to Belief of Danger or Hazards
          4. Refusal to Work Overtime
        3. Inability to Perform
          1. Inefficiency or Incompetence
          2. Physical or Mental Inability to Work
        4. Negligence
          1. Gross Misconduct
          2. Misconduct
          3. Cash Shortages
          4. Accidents
          5. Mistakes
        5. Alterations of Conditions of Employment
      2. Failure to Follow Rules and Procedures
        1. In General
        2. Importance of Policy Violations
        3. Illegal or Unethical Requirements
        4. Unreasonable Requirements
    7. MISBEHAVIOR OR POOR ATTITUDE ON THE JOB
      1. Rudeness or Poor Attitude
        1. Toward Employer's Clients or Customers
        2. Toward Supervisor
          1. Gross Misconduct Found
          2. Misconduct Found
          3. No Misconduct Found
        3. Toward Coworkers
          1. Gross Misconduct Found
          2. Misconduct Found
          3. No Misconduct Found
      2. Disruptive Behavior
        1. In General
        2. Profane or Abusive Language
        3. Horseplay
      3. Sexual Harassment
      4. Sleeping on the Job
        1. In General
        2. Mitigating Circumstances
      5. Cooperation with Internal Investigation
    8. ILLEGAL, DISHONEST, FRAUDULENT OR UNETHICAL CONDUCT ON THE JOB
      1. Assaults and Threats
        1. Threats
          1. In General
          2. Use of Weapons
        2. Assaults
          1. In General
          2. Self-Defense
        3. Patient Abuse
      2. Alteration of Time Cards
        1. Gross Misconduct Found
        2. Misconduct Found
        3. No Misconduct Found
      3. Cash Shortages
        1. In General
        2. Agreement to Indemnify Employer
      4. Theft
        1. From Employer
        2. From Customers or Coworkers
        3. Misappropriation of Employer's Property
      5. Destruction of Property
        1. Employer's Property
        2. Customer's or Client's Property
        3. Coworker's Property
      6. Competition with Employer's Business
      7. Misuse of Position
      8. Falsification of Employment Application
      9. Falsification of Other Work Records
      10. Lying to Employer
      11. Miscellaneous
    9. ATTENDANCE PROBLEMS
      1. Absenteeism and Lateness
        1. In General
        2. Chronic or Repeated
        3. Failure to Notify Employer
        4. Effect of Warnings
      2. Excuses
        1. In General
        2. Illness and Disability
        3. Heightened Duty to Report to Work
        4. Incarceration
        5. Transportation Problems
        6. Personal or Family Problems
      3. Leaving Work Early or Walking Off Job
    10. ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
      1. On Work Premises
      2. Off Work Premises
      3. Alcoholism As a Disease
      4. Effect of Treatment
        1. Duty to Seek Treatment
        2. Cooperation with Treatment Program
      5. Effect on Job Performance
        1. Alcohol
        2. Drugs
      6. Alcohol and Drug Screenings
        1. Mandatory, Random Testing
        2. Required Due to Employee's Conduct
        3. Employer's Obligation Under Health-General Article
        4. Validity of Test
    11. EXERCISE OF EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS
      1. Right to Respond to Job Conditions
        1. Responding to Evaluations
        2. Requesting Change in Work Status
        3. Refusing to Reimburse for Cash Shortages
        4. Filing Charges Against Employer
          1. Discrimination
          2. Other
        5. Questioning Employer's Action or Inaction
      2. Religious Beliefs
      3. Right to Seek Other Employment
        1. For Oneself
        2. For Others
      4. Strikes
      5. Other
    12. APPLICATION OF PENALTY
      1. Discharge from Noncovered Employment
      2. Extent of Penalty

FAILURE TO APPLY FOR OR ACCEPT SUITABLE WORK - SECTION 8-1005

RETIREMENT PAYMENTS - SECTION 8-1008

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Payments Which Constitute Retirement Payments
      2. Payments Which Do Not Constitute Retirement Payments
      3. Contributory Pensions and Proration
      4. Noncontributory Pensions
      5. Dates of Disqualification
      6. Requirement That Payment Be Received
      7. Divorce Decree Affecting Amount
    2. LUMP SUM PAYMENTS
      1. Defined
      2. Paid Due to a Layoff or Shutdown
      3. Paid for Reasons Other Than a Layoff or Shutdown
    3. BASE PERIOD EMPLOYER

SEVERANCE PAY, DISMISSAL PAYMENT OR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE - SECTION 8-1009

  • INTRODUCTION
    1. IN GENERAL
      1. Extent of Disqualification
      2. Payments Which Constitute Severance Pay
      3. Payments Which Do Not Constitute Severance Pay

MISCELLANEOUS NEW PRECEDENT CASES

  1. EXTENDED BENEFITS
    1. Additional Job Search Requirements Met – Claimant Not Responsible for Delivery of Mail
    2. Prior Disqualification Ended – Extended Benefits Allowed
  1. DUE PROCESS
    1. Neutrality Essential
    2. Evidence
    3. Notice
    4. Self-Authenticating Agency Records
    5. Recording Dismissed Cases
  1. CONTINUOUS PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT – SECTION 8-611(G)
    1. Continuous Part-Time Employment where the employments were concurrent
    2. Continuous Part-Time Employment where the employments were not concurrent
  1. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION – SECTION 8-613

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S APPENDIX - REPORTED CASES - MARYLAND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LAW

  • Judicial Review of Unemployment Insurance Determinations
    LE § 8-101. Definitions.
    LE § 8-102. Legislative Findings and Policy.
    LE § 8-205. Independent Contractors.
    LE § 8-208. Charitable, Educational, Not for Profit, and Religious Organizations
    LE § 8-209. Commission Sales.
    LE § 8-801. Unemployment Status.
    LE § 8-802. Wages for Covered Employment.
    LE § 8-903. Ability to Work and Availability for Work.
    1. Availability for Work.
    2. Actively Seeking Work.
  • LE § 8-1001. Voluntarily Leaving Work.
    1. Statutory Requirement of Intent.
    2. Constructive Voluntary Leaving.
    3. Good Cause or Valid Circumstances.
    4. Approved Job Training.
  • LE § 8-1002. Gross Misconduct.
    LE § 8-1003. Misconduct.
    LE § 8-1005. Failure to Apply for or Accept Suitable Work.
    LE § 8-1007. Holiday or Vacation Pay.
    LE § 8-1008. Retirement Payments.
    LE § 8-1009. Severance Pay.
    LE § 8-1302. Miscellaneous Acts of Employers.
    TABLE OF AUTHORITIES