Nita Posey, Relator v. Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., Department of Employment and Economic Development

**What Happened** Nita Posey worked for Securitas Security Services and told her employer she needed time off to handle a family crisis. She intended to return to work after dealing with the emergency. However, when Posey applied for unemployment benefits, an unemployment judge ruled that she had voluntarily quit her job and was therefore not eligible for benefits. **What the Court Decided** The Minnesota Court of Appeals disagreed with the unemployment judge and reversed the decision. The court ruled that Posey did not actually quit her job. Instead, she had simply requested time off for a family emergency with the clear intention of returning to work. Under Minnesota law, this does not count as voluntarily quitting employment. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects workers who face family emergencies and need temporary time off. It clarifies that asking for leave to handle a crisis - even without formal approval - doesn't automatically mean you've quit your job. Workers in similar situations may still be eligible for unemployment benefits if their employer treats their leave request as a resignation. This decision helps ensure that employees aren't penalized for dealing with legitimate family emergencies.