Unemployment benefits in CA?

Question

At my company, at least in my department, they never fire anyone, even when they should. Rumor has it that the last time someone was fired, he had spent two weeks doing absolutely nothing before he got fired.

According to my coworkers this is because the company doesn't want to pay unemployment. However, my boyfriend said that unemployment is only for people who were laid off, and not for people who were fired with cause. So what should I believe?

Answer 1

In California, the EDD is amazingly liberal with who gets benefits. But your boyfriend's right. In general, laid off/lack of work is the only way to get benefits. If your company fires you (terminates for cause) and can prove it, they can fight you getting benefits -- but that doesn't mean they'll win. In principle, however, believe the boyfriend. The co-workers are wrong.