# Can I still get unemployment if I quit my job without a good reason?

- Jurisdiction: Canada
- Practice area: Employment Law
- Published: 2026-10-31
- Last updated: 2026-10-31
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/ca/employment-law/can-i-still-get-unemployment-if-i-quit

## Question

I am currently living in Canada and I am feeling quite stressed about my finances. Back on October 15th, I decided to quit my position at a local retail shop because I simply wasn't happy with the atmosphere, even though my manager hadn't done anything specifically wrong to me. I didn't have another job lined up, so I have been out of work for about three weeks now. Before I resigned, I had worked there for over 14 months and had accumulated plenty of hours. I have already tried calling the government helpline to ask about my situation, but they were very vague and just told me I needed to file a claim first. I am worried because I know that quitting voluntarily might be an issue. If I do manage to find a new part-time job next week and work a few shifts to earn a pay cheque, will those new hours help me qualify for benefits even though I walked away from my previous role without a specific reason? I am unsure if my decision to leave will completely block me from receiving any support at all.

## Summary

It depends on whether your reason for quitting is considered 'just cause.' If you quit without a valid reason, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits until you work enough new hours to qualify again.

## Analysis

Under the Employment Insurance Act, your ability to collect benefits depends on why you left your retail job on October 15th. The law states that a claimant is disqualified "if the claimant... voluntarily left any employment without just cause" [1]. 'Just cause' means you had no reasonable alternative to leaving [2]. 

Because you mentioned you left because you "simply wasn't happy with the atmosphere" and your manager had not done anything wrong, you may not meet the legal definition of 'just cause.' The law provides specific examples of valid reasons, such as sexual harassment, dangerous working conditions, or significant changes to your wages [2]. Feeling unhappy with the atmosphere alone might not be considered a reasonable alternative to staying. 

If the government decides you left without just cause, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits for a period of time [1]. However, there is a way to regain eligibility. You can become eligible again if you have "been employed in insurable employment for the number of hours required... to qualify to receive benefits" since you left your previous job [1]. 

Regarding your plan to work a part-time job next week: if you are disqualified for leaving without cause, the hours you work at that new job can help you qualify for benefits, provided you work enough of them to meet the required threshold [1]. However, please note that those specific hours from the new job cannot be used to determine your maximum number of weeks of benefits or your weekly benefit rate [1]. 

It is currently uncertain if the government will view your specific reasons for leaving as 'just cause' or if they will find you disqualified. The final decision will be made after you file your claim and they review your circumstances.

## Statutory citations

- Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, s. 30 - Disqualification — misconduct or leaving without just cause [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.6/index.html#s-30)
  > A claimant is disqualified from receiving any benefits if the claimant... voluntarily left any employment without just cause, unless (a) the claimant has, since losing or leaving the employment, been employed in insurable employment for the number of hours required... to qualify to receive benefits
- Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, s. 29 - Interpretation [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.6/index.html#s-29)
  > just cause for voluntarily leaving an employment... exists if the claimant had no reasonable alternative to leaving or taking leave, having regard to all the circumstances

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