Centene is saying I chose to quit so I'm appealing the claim but wondering what I should do to prep. I don't have the email any longer where Sarah said she's going to lay people off but I have the initial VSP letter and Centene is all over the news. Would love some direction - positive comments only, thanks! ;)
15 replies (most recent on top)
@s2 I am in Arkansas. I forwarded every email we received regarding the VSP to my personal email. I believe I submitted the original email that went out with the VSP details that also indicated that there could also be layoffs as well as the VSP employee FAQ document that indicated that they would expect the need to make further restructuring decisions after the VSP (section B3). I also submitted a post from Kathleen Velazquez on LinkedIn when Centene began moving forward with involuntary layoffs in August.
@vd I am in Arkansas. I forwarded every email we received regarding the VSP to my personal email. I believe I submitted the original email that went out with the VSP details that also indicated that there could also be layoffs as well as the VSP employee FAQ document that indicated that they would expect the need to make further restructuring decisions after the VSP (section B3). I also submitted a post from Kathleen Velazquez on LinkedIn when Centene began moving forward with involuntary layoffs in August.
@er how did you get the emails from the company to prove it? We were told specifically that we would be eligible for unemployment as it is treated as a layoff but now they are reporting it as voluntarily quitting. I have the information from the media specifying that they would default to involuntary layoffs if not enough people took the vsp but they want something from the company.
@OP I’m in the same boat ! Please help ! just thinking about the holidays, it’s very stressful!😩
@er what type of information did you provide? what was your stand ? it was voluntary so what I wonder what what cause them to approve your case unless you’re in a different state than Texas . I think it’s great that you were approved!
@jr Totally agree. Taking VSP does not disqualify you for unemployment just because if the word “voluntary.” Because as the previous poster just said, more than likely you felt compelled, coerced, pressured to take VSP and also were les to believe that if you did not take VSP that you would be laid off (with possibly no financial payoff).
In fact, I would even go so far to say that in some instances when a person quits, if they did so under duress when their direct leader was bullying them that a person could even possibly be able to receive unemployment, if explained to the UE officials.
@em because it was offered under threat of being involuntary separated if you didn’t take it? Not that difficult to understand why. This is not the same as someone just giving their notice and as you can see people have been approved for unemployment.
@a9 I took the VSP and was approved for unemployment once my severance pay is exhausted. All I had to do was provide them documentation that potential ISP's were also a part of the company restructuring and I was approved so regardless if you voluntarily quit or not it is possible to get approved for unemployment in some states.
Why would you get unemployment when you left voluntarily?! That’s wild thinking for sure
@OP Below, you mentioned that you live in Texas. If you were not told that your specific position would be eliminated, your voluntary separation package will be viewed as you choosing to resign from the company, which makes you ineligible for unemployment benefits.
I live in Arkansas and took the VSP. I was approved for unemployment benefits, but payments will not begin until my severance pay has been exhausted. I had to submit supporting documentation, including emails we received from the company and information I found online, as part of the approval process.
You did choose to leave by taking the VSP. The V stands for voluntary, so you voluntarily chose to leave. It doesn't matter if there would be layoffs in the future, if you choose to leave, most states will not give you unemployment. You can try to appeal, but you will most likely lose.
I applied (MO) and am still waiting for a decision. I have spoken directly with others who took VSP in MO and were approved. Good luck!
In most States you would not qualify for unemployment because a VSP is treated like a resignation vs firing or regular layoff.
@OP I'm in texas BTW