An employee works part time and attends school. They now have a conflict and cannot work the full shift due to student teaching starting taking that time. They are unwilling to accommodate a weekend only shift and using language to try and force a resignation. The manager has gone silent and is intentionally avoiding email. The managers supervisor has also tried to use language to make it sound like a resignation via email or job abandonment. Everything is documented via email.
Unemployment is asking for a letter of termination which they refuse to write. Can the employee still file for unemployment with the emails showing they won't cooperate? Is the employee even entitled to a termination letter? What other resources are out there to pursue to try and claim unemployment in this case? Could this be considered retaliation for attempting to change schedule?
For reference. NY state(at will). Student teaching pays in a stipend with installments that won't be starting until November.