Hammett v. Florida Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission

Corrected Opinion1

EMAS, J.

Vernall Hammett (“Hammett”) appeals a final order of the Florida Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission (“Appeals Commission”),2 affirming a decision of an Appeals Commission referee which disqualified Hammett from receiving unemployment compensation on the basis that his employer, the Salvation Army, was owned and operated primarily for religious purposes and was operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church.3

Hammett worked as a sorter and then as a general manager at a thrift store operated by the Salvation Army. Hammett lost his job in…