Unemployment After Quitting Or Being Fired
Lab. & Empl. § 8-1001 and § 8-1002 — good cause, valid circumstances, and gross misconduct
Leaving work voluntarily without good cause disqualifies a Maryland claimant. Good cause has to be directly attributable to the conditions of employment or the employer's actions, or one of two other situations the section names, including leaving because the claimant or the claimant's spouse, minor child or parent is a victim of domestic violence and staying would jeopardize safety, documented by a protective order or a police record.
A valid circumstance short of good cause, a substantial job related cause or one so necessitous or compelling the claimant had no reasonable alternative, shortens the disqualification to between 5 and 10 weeks. Without one, it lasts until the claimant is reemployed and has earned at least 15 times the weekly benefit amount. Leaving to become self employed or to attend school is never good cause.
Gross misconduct: until 25 times the weekly benefit is earned. Being discharged or suspended for gross misconduct, a deliberate and willful disregard of standards the employer rightfully expects, or repeated rule violations showing a regular and wanton disregard of obligations, disqualifies the claimant until reemployed with earnings of at least 25 times the weekly benefit amount.
Sources for this section (2)
- Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8-1001 — Unemployment: voluntary quit
- Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8-1002 — Unemployment: gross misconduct
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.