Jason Brennan, Relator v. Lubrication Technologies, Inc., Department of Employment and Economic Development

**Worker Denied Unemployment Benefits After Workplace Threats** Jason Brennan was fired from his job at Lubrication Technologies, Inc. and applied for unemployment benefits. The company opposed his claim, arguing he was fired for serious workplace misconduct. Specifically, Brennan had made threatening statements about killing coworkers and had repeatedly violated the company's workplace conduct rules. The Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with the employer and upheld a decision denying Brennan unemployment benefits. The court found that his threatening behavior and pattern of breaking workplace rules qualified as "employment misconduct" under state law, which makes workers ineligible for unemployment compensation. **What this means for workers:** This case shows that certain types of workplace behavior can disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits even if you're fired. Making threats against coworkers, especially violent ones, is considered serious misconduct that can cost you both your job and your safety net. Workers should understand that unemployment benefits aren't automatic after being fired – your conduct leading to the termination matters. Maintaining professional behavior and following workplace rules protects not just your current job, but also your ability to receive benefits if things don't work out.