Jones v. Director, Department of Workforce Services

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          APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF REVIEW [NO. 2018-BR-01119]

         Sheila F. Campbell, P.A., North Little Rock, by: Sheila F. Campbell, for appellant.

          Cynthia Uhrynowycz, for appellee.

         OPINION

         RAYMOND R. ABRAMSON, Judge

          Roberta Jones appeals the Arkansas Board of Review’s ("Board’s") decision denying her claim for unemployment benefits. On appeal, Jones argues that the Board erred in finding that she was disqualified from receiving benefits because (1) she voluntarily left her last work without good cause and (2) she was not able and available for suitable work. We affirm.

          On June 27, 2018, Jones filed an application for unemployment-insurance benefits with the director of the Department of Workforce Services ("Department"). She indicated that she had last worked for Atrium Hospitality LP ("Atrium") and that her employment had ended on March 11. She further stated that her separation from employment was for medical leave and that she has disabilities that limited her ability to perform her job duties.

          Also on June 27, Jones completed an "Able and Available-Claimant Statement" and responded that she was not able and available for work from March 9, and she left the ending date open. She further marked that she was "[s]till not able and available for work."

          On July 6, Atrium responded that Jones had been on medical leave through June 30 and that she was scheduled to return to work on July 1. Atrium attached a June 25 letter from Cigna Insurance ("Cigna")

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stating that Jones’s medical leave would expire on June 30 and that she had been advised to return to work on the first working day following the expiration.

          On July 17, Jones completed a "Miscellaneous-Claimant Statement." She wrote,

I didn’t go back to work because I am still not able to work. I was suppose[d] to return to work 7-1-18 but I didn’t. I didn’t take anything from my employer stating I still needed time off. I did file for worksman [sic] comp but they denied it because they said there is no proof that I was hurt [a]t work. I have filed a grievance since they denied my worksman [sic] comp but I haven’t heard anything.

          On July 18, the Department found that Jones was disqualified from benefits because (1) she had left Atrium without making reasonable efforts to preserve her job rights and (2) she was not able to ...