Generally speaking, an employee who quits a job does not qualify for unemployment benefits. However, if the job resignation was the result of an employer's harassment, discrimination, threats, or hazardous working conditions, the employee may qualify for an unemployment benefits claim. In order to be eligible, it must be shown that the worker would have suffered some sort of harm or injury if he or she stayed on the job. The standard that is used is whether a reasonable person in the job situation would have remained on the job.

In order to constitute good cause for quitting, the employee's reason must be compelling. Quitting a job because it doesn't offer opportunities for advancement may be a good reason, but it will not be considered compelling by most courts.  Dissatisfaction with the job is also not considered a compelling reason to quit. For purposes of collecting unemployment insurance compensation, compelling reasons to leave a job may include:

• -Harassment
• -Discrimination
• -Substantial reduction in hours or pay
• -Threats of termination or choice of resignation
• -Unsafe or hazardous working conditions