Cassandra Tart, Relator v. American Indian Community Development Corp., Department of Employment and Economic Development

**What Happened** Cassandra Tart was fired from her job at American Indian Community Development Corp. for repeatedly showing up late to work and leaving early. After being terminated, she applied for unemployment benefits. The company challenged her application, arguing that she shouldn't receive benefits because she was fired for misconduct. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the employer and upheld a previous decision denying Tart unemployment benefits. The judge found that her pattern of tardiness and early departures constituted employment misconduct, which disqualifies someone from receiving unemployment compensation under Minnesota law. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that chronic attendance problems can have serious consequences beyond just losing your job. Workers who are fired for misconduct—including persistent lateness or leaving work early—may be denied unemployment benefits they would otherwise rely on while job searching. To protect yourself, maintain good attendance records and follow your employer's attendance policies. If you're struggling with attendance due to personal issues, communicate with your supervisor early to explore possible accommodations or solutions before it becomes a pattern that could jeopardize both your job and your eligibility for unemployment benefits.