My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: New York
I'm currently on UE benefits and nearing the end (sometime in early to mid January 2017). I was in sales and was laid off around the end of June 2016.
Back in October I found out about a part-time weekend job with reasonable pay which I figured would be a good fit while I look for something full time. It involves going to a specific retail chain and demonstrating products. The company providing this service is a third party who is hired by various vendors to do these demonstrations, so you are their employee, not the store's. You may work alone, or sometimes someone else will also be demonstrating with you. That being said it's very independent work.
In the application it specifically told you to apply for the location at which you want to work. I chose one within walking distance of where I live, especially since one of the days is a Sunday and the buses where I am don't run consistently on Sundays. I don't have an automobile.
I was called by their HR recruiter and we had a phone interview. I explained the situation and was told it wouldn't be a problem as you are stationed at the specific store you requested. I was offered the position, passed a background check, and was hired.
About a week ago I had an orientation for the position at a location of this retail chain that was very difficult for me to get to (I was able to get a ride from someone). This is where I first met the supervisor for the region, who was asking the locations people can work, so I explained my situation and other people explained theirs. We were told we would not be starting until this weekend, as their was more online training to complete and an online test we'd need to take. I completed all of that this past Wednesday.
Last night I received an email, along with other new hires, telling us to log into the system and check to see where would be stationed, and what products we would be demoing. I did so and saw absolutely nothing listed for me. When I emailed the supervisor, very early this morning and way prior to the start of what the shift time is, I got no response. I then decide to text, after about five hours of waiting with no email response, and am told their is nothing scheduled there for this weekend, and would I be able to work "XXXX" location, which is one of the ones I can't get to.
I apologize for the long-winded nature of this, and appreciate it if you stuck with me this long. My feeling is that an eager recruiter pitched it as "you will be working there 15 hours every weekend, and only on rare exceptions will there be nothing scheduled," but that isn't the reality based on how the supervisor is responding to me. The reality is that they may not always have work at some stores, so if you want hours you may have to go to other locations. Had this been presented to me up front, I would not have accepted the position, however, it was NOT. I was adamant about where I could work and they said it would be fine.
I turned down another part time job for this, also within walking distance and with a major chain as a direct hire, based on the fact that this pays more money. Now I feel like I'm not going to be getting hours, but I'm afraid that if I quit, unemployment is going to wonder why and deny my benefit.
My question is, should I stay on their roster and when I put in a claim this week just choose "the lack of work option?" I have another part time job where that's the case, sporadic hours and it's never been a problem. My worry is that if they let me go, since I can't work these other locations, I'm going to have to explain it to UE, this after I was told I'd only be working the one location. Last week when I put in my claim I listed the orientation as a day's work and the other part time job, so when I claim this week they're going to ask me why I didn't work either.
Thanks in advance. I will clarify any points that don't make sense.

