I was laid off from my company on 3/31. I had an above average performance review earlier that month and it was blamed on “change in direction.” I spent weeks trying to file unemployment only to be told in June that I wasn’t eligible for unemployment because my previous employer never paid unemployment tax in my state. For background, I relocated to my state in March 2021 and my company used a PEO for benefits. I did get a severance package which I believe precluded me from filing anything against them, but am pissed that a company I dedicated 15 hours a day to for many years was able to get away with not paying unemployment tax.
Thankfully, I was able to get a new job in June but I still have a sour feeling in my mouth. I have a gut feeling they gave me a severance package to avoid owning up to the fact that they didn’t pay unemployment taxes in my state. Is what they did legal?