<prompt> Human: I currently work 40 hours a week for a company as a CNA in an assisted living facility making 14hr. I just found out two weeks ago that the building is losing funding and my position will no longer be available. The company also offers a home health aide services and my boss is pressuring me into doing that. Only catch is my hours would be cut to around 25 a week and I would take a pay cut of about 2-3 an hour. On top of this Id have to interview with the clients to get these positions. Im in nursing school now and things are about to get heavy so I was looking to cut my hours a bit, but this will simply be devastating to my finances. I dont have much for knowledge when it comes to unemployment. Can I simply say no to these jobs not interview and apply for unemployment? Is there anything Id have to do with my company to qualify for unemployment?Assistant: When your position is no longer needed, that means you are laid off due to downsizing. Which means you would qualify for unemployment benefits. Also depends how long you have worked there as well. Turning down your bosses suggestion doesnt necessarily mean you are terminated. Unless your boss takes offense to that and state you are fired, you are still on their payroll. Good luck to you. Nursing is a great profession. Human: Turning down your bosses suggestion doesnt necessarily mean you are terminated. Unless your boss takes offense to that and state you are fired, you are still on their payroll.What do you mean by this?Assistant: Apologies, you asked if you can turn down that specific job and collect unemployment. I stated that by turning down that job, your status with the company is still valid therefore you are unable to collect unemployment on the spot. Unless your boss uttered the words youre fired because you didnt take his suggestion, you are still stuck there awaiting the day where your position is no longer needed. Human: So an employer can just take a full time employee and stick them in the basement working less hours for a lower wage and screw them out of benefits?  <response>: In some cases, yes. It happens a lot in the retail industry. However, I suggest reading more into your state laws regarding unemployment. Find out what the good cause or good reasons for quitting in order to receive unemployment benefits. Each state various. 