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CCH® UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE — 10/17/16

Personal use of company computers for political campaign not misconduct

The claimant, an executive assistant and office manager for a web design company, was discharged for using her company computer for personal use when she ran for public office. The company did not have a policy regarding the use of company computers for personal use and, upon initially hearing that the claimant was running for political office, the owner expressed support for the claimant's run and even made a contribution to her campaign. The Commission found that the company presented no documentation to support its claim that the claimant was repeatedly reprimanded about her use of company resources for her political campaign and that, instead, the first warning was mere days before the claimant was discharged. Thus, the Commission's decision that, in the absence of prior warnings, the claimant's conduct was not disqualifying was affirmed. Benefits were awarded (Karen Skunta& Company, Inc. v. Comm., Ohio Ct. of App., Eighth District, Cuyahoga Cty., No. 104105, September 15, 2016).