Maria R. Ortiz De Cardoso v. Virginia Employment Commission and George's Chicken, LLC

**Worker Denied Unemployment Benefits After Leaving Job** Maria Ortiz De Cardoso worked at George's Chicken and left her job voluntarily. When she applied for unemployment benefits through the Virginia Employment Commission, her claim was denied. The Commission ruled that she quit without having "good cause" - meaning she didn't have a legally acceptable reason for leaving that would qualify her for benefits. Ortiz De Cardoso disagreed and took her case to court, arguing she should receive unemployment compensation. Both the circuit court and Virginia Court of Appeals sided with the Employment Commission. They upheld the original decision that denied her unemployment benefits, confirming that she had voluntarily left her job without meeting the legal standard for "good cause." **What This Means for Workers:** This case highlights an important rule about unemployment benefits - you generally can't receive them if you quit your job voluntarily unless you have "good cause." Good cause typically includes situations like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to your job terms. Simply deciding to leave for personal reasons usually won't qualify you for benefits. Workers should understand that unemployment insurance is primarily designed for those who lose jobs through no fault of their own.