In the earliest days of the crisis, owners and operators focused first on securing relief for their employees. That strong advocacy has resulted in swift support for laid off workers. Both the requirements of the PPP loans and the prospect of opening have created an unintended consequence. Some employers are reporting that workers, concerned about their health and experiencing the support intended by the UI response, are expressing reluctance about coming back to work before their benefits run out. The letter of the law is clear. The spirit is more challenging for a long-term employee you want to bring back.
DEED Commissioner Steve Grove has confirmed that generally employees who are offered their jobs back need to go back to work.
His staff followed up
directly with us, citing the following provision:
(a) An applicant is ineligible for all unemployment benefits for eight calendar weeks if the applicant, without good cause:
(1) failed to apply for available, suitable employment of which the applicant was advised by the commissioner or an employer;
(2) failed to accept suitable employment when offered; or
(3) avoided an offer of suitable employment.
There are some exceptions, discussed in this
MinnPost article
, for people who are isolated due to COVID-19 or who are unable to find alternative care for children whose schools have been closed.