My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: Alabama
I recently was convicted of a DUI and told to report for a 90 day sentence. My employer agreed to pick me up on work release so I could continue working. He signed papers, submitted to a background check, etc. He also had the manager and another employee checked and cleared to pick me up and take me back to the jail.
After about 6 weeks into the program my employer stopped picking me up. There was no warning and I was not aware of any problem until I was told by the work release coordinator that my employer had called and said "We can't do it anymore (pick me up) but not to worry, my job was waiting on me when I got out".
I contacted my mother, who is retired and after about 2 weeks the work release coordinator called my employer to confirm I had a ride to work again and could return to work, at which point my employer said "We have found a replacement, he doesn't work here anymore".
When I was released I returned to work to get my personal belongings there and return my uniforms and I asked my employer what was my work status, to which he replied "You abandoned your job"!
I have applied and been denied unemployment compensation and am about to appeal. I feel that there was a breach of trust between my employer and myself and the work release program and that I was in effect, terminated.
Can anyone shed any light on this for me?
Thank you

