This week there were only two unpublished opinions from the Minnesota Court of Appeals related to unemployment benefits. The relator in the first case challenges the ULJ’s decision that she was overpaid unemployment benefits because she improperly reported her earnings. The appeal by the relator in the second case is one we commonly see – the ULJ’s decision that he is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits because he quit his employment without good reason caused by his employer. Both cases were affirmed.

1.  A14-0386  Kristin Buege, Relator, vs. County of Houston, Respondent, City of   Caledonia, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  Relator appeals an unemployment-law judge (ULJ) decision that she was overpaid unemployment benefits because she improperly reported her earnings.  Relator worked as the City of Caldonia and Houston County in a variety of roles with varying rates of pay.  Further, some of the earnings were deductible, and reduces the amount of unemployment benefits, and some were not deductible.  The end result was that Relator received an overpayment of unemployment benefits.  On appeal, Relator argues argues that the ULJ erred by failing to consider that she reported her earnings in good faith and by miscalculating her earnings.  However, acting in good faith is not a defense to an overpayment of unemployment benefits.  We affirm.

2.  A14-0172  Cody Sigfrid, Relator, vs. Osseo Powersports, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  Relator challenges the unemployment-law judge’s (ULJ) determination that  he is ineligible for unemployment benefits because he quit his employment  without good reason caused by his employer.  The ULJ found that Relator quit his job for personal reasons (to become a full-time student), and consequently was ineligible for unemployment benefits.  We affirm.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

There were three unpublished opinions this week from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. All three are interesting cases, especially the third case. In the first case, the Relator quit her job due to stress and anxiety and challenges the ULJ’s determination that she is ineligible for unemployment because she quit her job for medical reasons. The second case involves a Relator who received unemployment benefits for a year, and then attempted to establish another benefit account, even though he had not lost a job while he was receiving benefits.  The third case is odd and definitely worth a look because it involves an appeal by an employer of a determination by Unemployment Insurance Minnesota that a former employee is eligible to receive benefits.  All three cases were affirmed.

1.  A14-0057  Sondra Keeney, Relator, v. Midwest Special Services, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  Sondra Keeney was employed by Midwest Special Services, Inc., until she quit due to stress and anxiety. An unemployment-law judge determined that she is ineligible for unemployment benefits. On appeal, she argues that she is eligible because she had a serious illness that made it medically necessary to quit and because she quit for a good reason caused by her employer. Although there is a medical exception to the general rule that quitting employment results in ineligibility for unemployment benefits, the unemployment law judge found that Keeney did not prove that she had to quit for medical reasons by introducing evidence, such as a doctor's note.  The Court of Appeals affirmed because the unemployment law judge's decision was supported by substantial evidence.

There were two unpublished decisions on unemployment benefits from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week.  Both cases involve employment misconduct, and show the importance of presenting a strong case at the evidentiary hearing.  Both cases were affirmed.

A13-2222  Pamela L. Ott, Relator, vs. Timberland Partners Management Co. (Corp), Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  Relator challenges an unemployment-law judge’s decision that she is ineligible for unemployment benefits because she was discharged for employment misconduct -- intentionally submitting a false report on the status of vacant rental units.  Relator argued that the misconduct in question was a single behavioral incident, which is an "important factor" to consider in determining whether particular conduct rises to the level of employment misconduct.  The Appeals Court concluded that conduct in question was misconduct, because submitting the false report was both deceitful and intentional. We affirm.

A13-2046  Nimco Osman, Relator, vs. Supershuttle International, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  In this certiorari appeal from the decision of an unemployment-law judge (ULJ) that relator is ineligible for unemployment benefits because she was discharged for employment misconduct -- displaying a pattern of abusive behavior and acting belligerently during a meeting resulting in her termination.  In addition, relator argues that (1) she did not commit employment misconduct; (2) she was denied a fair hearing because the ULJ did not contact her witnesses and permitted the testimony of the employer’s third witness; and (3) the employer’s witnesses lied.  The Appeals Court affirmed/

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

There were two unpublished decisions on unemployment benefits from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week.  The first decision is noteworthy because it was reversed.  The second decision is noteworthy because it does not involve employment misconduct.  Both decisions were released on August 18, 2014.  Curiously, for the case that was reversed, the relator was represented by an attorney.  Having an attorney on your side can make all the difference, although I am not sure that an attorney could have changed the outcome of the second case.

A13-2342, Frederick Wright, Relator, vs. Atterro, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.


Summary: Relator challenges the decision of an unemployment-law judge (ULJ) that he is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits, resulting in an overpayment of benefits in the amount of $2,304.  During the evidentiary hearing, relator's cell-phone died, and relator was disconnected.  Nevertheless, the ULJ continued to question the employer after relator was disconnected.  As such, relator did not have the opportunity to cross-examine the employer.  Because the ULJ’s determination that relator quit his employment due to management concerns is not supported by the evidence in the record, we reverse.

A13-2348, Jennie Rasmussen, Relator, vs. Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: We affirm the determination of the unemployment-law judge (ULJ) that relator is barred from withdrawing her benefit account and establishing a new one because such withdrawal is prohibited by Minn. Stat. § 268.07, subd. 3b(c) (2012), which prohibits withdrawing a benefit account once unemployment benefits have been paid on that account.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

There is only one unpublished opinion on unemployment benefits from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week  The relator is pro se, meaning that he is representing himself.  Although you always have the right to represent yourself in Minnesota, representing yourself is seldom a good idea, especially when you are appealing a case to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.  In this case, the decision was affirmed. 


A13-1943  John Matheson, Hilltop, Minnesota (pro se relator), Progressive Action - Minnesota, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: In this certiorari appeal, pro se relator appeals the unemployment-law judge’s decision that he is ineligible to receive employment benefits because he quit his job without a good reason caused by his employer.  In particular, relator argued that he had a good reason to quit caused by his employer because of an interpersonal conflict and difficulties communicating with his supervisor. We affirm.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

This week there were three unemployment unpublished decisions from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Two relators challenge the ULJ’s decision that they are ineligible for unemployment benefits because they committed employment misconduct and the third relator cites several reasons for challenging the ULJ’s decision that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits. All three were affirmed.

1.  A13-2026   James Richarson, Jr., Relator, vs. Alamco Wood Products LLC, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: Relator James Richardson Jr. challenges the unemployment-law judge’s decision that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits because he committed employment misconduct. Because the unemployment-law judge’s findings are supported by substantial evidence, and because Richardson’s violation of the no-smoking policy is employment misconduct, we affirm.

2.  A13-2370  Steve Morris Smith, Relator, vs. Family Life Mental Health Center, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  On appeal from the determination of an unemployment-law judge (ULJ) that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits because he was discharged for employment misconduct, appellant argues that the ULJ: (1) erred by determining that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits; and (2) abused his discretion by denying his request for an additional evidentiary hearing. We affirm.

3.  A13-2347  Brian Freed, Relator, vs. Wholesale Tire & Wheel of MN, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

 Summary: Relator Brian Freed challenges the determination of the unemployment-law judge (ULJ) that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits, arguing that (1) he made a good-faith error in judgment; (2) his conduct was that of a reasonable average employee; (3) respondent-employer lied during his testimony at the evidentiary hearing; and (4) respondent-employer engaged in employer retaliation. We affirm.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

Tim is teaching a FREE seminar on what every employer needs to know about unemployment benefits and appeals.  The seminar will be held on Friday 8/15/2014 from noon - 1:00 p.m. at Tim's office, 2140-4th Avenue, Anoka MN 55303.  Here is the official description:

In this FREE seminar, we will cover unemployment benefits and appeals from the employer's perspective, including an employee's initial application, determination of eligibility or ineligibility, responding to a request for information from Unemployment Insurance Minnesota, and appealing an unfavorable determination.  This seminar is geared for employers, human resource professionals, and attorneys who represent them in the unemployment arena.

ATTORNEYS: This seminar has been approved for one standard CLE credit.  The event code is 194856.

Space is limited, so advance registration is required.  For more information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-employers-need-to-know-about-unemployment-benefits-and-appeals-tickets-12490815365

There were two unemployment decisions from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week. Both relators dispute they are ineligible to receive unemployment benefits because they quit their employment without good reason caused by their employers.  As a general rule, if you quit employment, you are ineligible to receive unemployment benefits, unless you had good reason to quit caused by the employer, or one of a limited number of exceptions applies.  One of the relators is pro se, a Latin phrase that literally means "on behalf on oneself."  Both decisions were affirmed.

1.   A13-1806  Charles Lambert Bey, Relator, vs. W.W. Johnson Wholesale Meat Co., Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: Pro se relator seeks certiorari review of an unemployment-law judge’s decision that he is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits because he quit his employment without good reason caused by his employer. We affirm.

2.  A13-2151   Michael Robin, Relator, vs. BHSI LLC, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary:  Michael Robin sought unemployment benefits, but the department of employment and economic development determined that he is ineligible because he quit his employment without a good reason caused by his employer. After Robin filed an administrative appeal, an unemployment-law judge upheld the ineligibility determination and denied Robin’s request for reconsideration based on newly discovered evidence. We affirm.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

There were three unemployment decisions from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week. One relator appeals the determination that he is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits because of his untimely request for reconsideration. Another relator challenges his ineligibility because he misrepresented his criminal record during his employment interview, and a third relator challenges the ULJ’s decision of ineligibility, arguing that she was unaware of one her the employer’s policies. All three cases were affirmed.

1.  A13-2022   Bradley G. Bremer, Relator, vs. Thomas Allen, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.                                                                                            

Summary: Relator challenges the unemployment-law judge’s (ULJ) dismissal of his appeal of a determination that he is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits. Because we conclude that the ULJ correctly determined that relator’s appeal was not filed within the required statutory time frame, we affirm.

Because of Bremer’s untimely request for reconsideration, Minn. Stat. § 268.105, subds. 1(c), 2(a) (2012), and because the law provides for no exceptions to alter the statutory period, the ULJ did not have jurisdiction to decide whether the determination of ineligibility is correct. The ULJ’s determination that relator is ineligible to receive unemployment benefits became final.

2.  A13-1951  Andrew R. Patson, Relator, vs. Skaff Apartments, Inc., Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: Relator challenges an unemployment-law judge’s determination that he is ineligible for unemployment benefits because he misrepresented his criminal record during his employment interview. We affirm.

The Court was not persuaded by Patson’s focus of his challenge that his misrepresentation was inadvertent and the result of the interview questions being insufficiently clear. Because substantial evidence supported the ULJ’s determination that Patson committed employment misconduct because his misrepresentation was either intentional or negligent and was not inadvertent, the Court affirmed the ULJ’s decision.

3.  A13-2138  Pamela Jeanne Googe, Relator, vs. Capstone Services, LLC, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Summary: Relator challenges the decision by an unemployment law judge (ULJ) that she was discharged for misconduct and is ineligible for unemployment benefits, arguing that she was unaware of the employer’s policy regarding the proper use of its credit card and that her use of the credit card was condoned by her supervisor. Although relator is correct that the ULJ erred by failing to set forth a reason for crediting the employer’s testimony over her testimony regarding the use of the credit card, relator was discharged for other acts of misconduct, which she does not dispute on certiorari review. Because these other acts of misconduct justify the ULJ’s denial of unemployment benefits, we affirm.



If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation. 

There was only one unemployment decision from the Minnesota Court of Appeals this week, but the decision is noteworthy because it was reversed and the applicant was awarded unemployment benefits.  Here is the summary:   

A13-1815   Cynthia Stephen, Relator, vs. Pro Pilots, LLC, Respondent, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Respondent.

Relator Cynthia Stephen petitions for certiorari review of the determination of the unemployment law judge (ULJ) that each of the following constituted employment misconduct: (1) relator’s failure to provide “proper notice” to respondent Pro Pilots, LLC (employer) of her illness-related absences, and (2) relator’s “negligent” work performance.

We reverse because the ULJ erred in concluding that relator’s illness-related absences constitute employment misconduct and in determining that relator’s poor work performance was employment misconduct. Because we reverse on purely legal grounds, we do not reach relator’s arguments regarding the ULJ’s factual findings and credibility determinations.

If you are denied unemployment benefits, or are an employer who wants to challenge a former employee's eligibility for benefits, your best bet is to meet with an attorney who handles unemployment appeals to discuss your options.  To that end, I represent both applicants and employers in unemployment appeals.  Please call (763) 450-9494 today to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.

PLEASE NOTE: I will be on vacation next week and unable to post my weekly update, so the summary of decisions released on July 21, 2014 will be delayed until at least July 28, 2014.

WARNING: The information contained in this blog post does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to your situation.  Reading this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Baland Law Office, P.L.L.C.  Also, Tim is licensed only in state and federal courts in Minnesota.  As such, any information provided in this blog post pertains only to those jurisdictions.  Further, you should always discuss your situation with an attorney before taking any action based on what you may read in this blog.  To that end, please call (763) 450-9494 to set up an appointment to discuss your situation.