Opinion
2013-06-20
In the Matter of the Claim of Lori A. SHAFER, Appellant. v. COMMISSIONER OF LABOR, Respondent.
Lori A. Shafer, Endicott, appellant pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York City (Bessie Bazile of counsel), for respondent.
Lori A. Shafer, Endicott, appellant pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York City (Bessie Bazile of counsel), for respondent.
Before: LAHTINEN, J.P., SPAIN, McCARTHY and EGAN JR., JJ.
Appeal from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed February 16, 2012, which ruled that claimant was disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance benefits because her employment was terminated due to misconduct.
Whether a claimant was discharged from employment due to disqualifying misconduct is a factual determination for the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board to decide and its decision will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence ( see Matter of Heppehamer [Commissioner of Labor], 67 A.D.3d 1283, 890 N.Y.S.2d 153 [2009] ). Insubordinate behavior, including rude, disrespectful and hostile conduct, has been held to be disqualifying misconduct, particularly where, as here, a claimant has received a warning from the employer to refrain from such behavior ( see Matter of Rivers [Federation Empl. & Guidance Serv.–Commissioner of Labor], 44 A.D.3d 1191, 1192, 843 N.Y.S.2d 861 [2007]; Matter of Hadjitheodoro [Comptroller of Pub. Accounts–Commissioner Labor], 252 A.D.2d 709, 710, 675 N.Y.S.2d 668 [1998] ). Here, members of management testified that claimant continued to make hostile and disparaging comments against her supervisor and the employer, including referring to them as liars, immoral and dishonest, and that claimant was warned on numerous occasions to discontinue such conduct. The consistent testimony of management members provides substantial evidence to support the Board's conclusion that claimant's continued disrespectful behavior rose to the level of insubordination and disqualifying misconduct. Claimant's testimony denying such behavior created a credibility issue for the Board to resolve ( see Matter of Rivers [Federation Empl. & Guidance Serv.–Commissioner of Labor], 44 A.D.3d at 1192, 843 N.Y.S.2d 861 [2007];Matter of Monroe [The Sagamore–Commissioner of Labor], 291 A.D.2d 774, 775, 738 N.Y.S.2d 449 [2002] ). Claimant's remaining contentions have been reviewed and found to be without merit.
ORDERED that the decision is affirmed, without costs.