Belcher v. Unemployment Appeals Commission

Shirley B. Belcher [""Belcher""] appeals a final order of the Unemployment Appeals Commission [""UAC""] reversing the appeals referee's determination that Belcher was entitled to unemployment benefits. Belcher contends that the appeals referee's determination was correct because she voluntarily left the workplace for good cause attributable to her employer pursuant to section 443.101(1), Florida Statutes (2002), and that the UAC erred in reversing the referee's decision. We agree and reverse. From March 5, 2003, until March 21, 2003, Belcher worked full-time in the stockroom and receiving department of Astec, a contract manufacturing company. After several weeks, Belcher - who is five feet two inches tall, weighs 110 pounds and is fifty-two years old - found that she was physically unable to perform the work, which required her to lift heavy boxes. She quit her job and sought unemployment. She was awarded benefits on the basis that she quit the job with ""good cause"" attributable to the employer.