Debate Grows over 'Gross Misconduct' by Employees: Recently Passed Unemployment Comp Law Change Causes a Stir over Punishing 'Dishonesty' (Legislation)

The state's new unemployment compensation law that goes into effect on Labor Day does not give employees the license to steal--those who are caught swiping so much as a dime from their employer will not collect benefits if they are fired for that reason. Nor would the victims of their theft see their individual unemployment tax rate go up because of that firing. But under the new law, those workers who steal as much as $499.99 from their previous employer will be able to collect benefits if they are laid off from their next job. In other words, the time they worked at the place from which they stole could count in determining future unemployment benefits.