In PA if you are on unemployment and turn down a job because the interviewer lied. Can you lose your benefits?

Question

Had problems with boss at old job and am worried he contacted friend to have him offer me a job so if I turn it down I'll lose benefits. His friend wouldn't tell me who gave him my name and contact information. Don't you think if someone gave him my info. for a job, he'd let me know who it was? Also, he won't give me a straight answer on how much I'll make an hour. He just keeps saying it varies because they get bonuses each week depending on how much work is completed.

Answer 1

Declining a bonafide job offer could result in a loss of unemployment benefits in pretty much every state. The claim of some misconduct, or collusion w your former employer would be your responsibility to prove.

However a legit tender of employment would have to stipulate the wage attached to the position. Bonuses, & what they may or may not amount to is a separate & not completely related issue.

I would advise being especially careful before you decide to actually point any finger alleging wrongdoing on the part of either party, as you don't need legal problems on top of unemployment.

Most business people have more sense than to play games w things like offering a bogus job for any reason. The unemployment tax rate of your former employer has already been affected by you collecting unemployment. There would be no benefit to them to see you lose benefits now, but I do realize some weird & ugly, spiteful things do happen in this old world.

Good Luck, & if you feel the position is questionable do not hesitate to voice your concerns w a rep from the unemployment office. Their job is to assist & protect you.

Answer 2

1. No employer expects an immediate response. If the McJob makes an offer, ask for some time to consider it. 2. You are not required to accept an offer that is well below what you were earning in your previous job. 3. When you turn down a job, you are asked for a reason. Such things as pay too low, wrong shift, too far away, not qualified, crap benefits compared to last job, etc. are all valid reasons for turning it down that won't affect your benefits. 4. If push comes to shove, take the McJob. Then if McDreamJob comes through, vote with your feet. There's no law that says you have to work for an employer for any set length of time. I've walked on a crap job before the end of the first shift when the offer that I really wanted came through.