MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SEC. COM'N v. Danner

Mississippi Employment Security Commission v. Danner

What Happened

An employee at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Casino was fired for not showing up to work and not calling to explain the absence. The employee then applied for unemployment benefits. The initial court decision allowed the employee to receive these benefits, but the employer's insurance company disagreed.

What the Court Decided

Mississippi's Court of Appeals sided with the employer. The court ruled that the employee was terminated for misconduct because they violated the casino's no-call, no-show policy. As a result, the employee was not eligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case reinforces that employers can deny unemployment benefits to workers fired for breaking workplace attendance policies. Workers should understand that simply failing to appear for work—without notification—is considered serious misconduct in most states. If you cannot work, communicating with your employer can be crucial to protecting your eligibility for unemployment benefits if you're terminated.