Castaneda v. Arizona Department of Economic Security

OPINION

LANKFORD, Judge.

Mr. Rudy Castaneda appeals from a Department of Economic Security Appeals Board decision denying him unemployment benefits upon his termination from employment. The appeals board held that because Mr. Castaneda was discharged for misconduct in connection with his employment he is disqualified from receiving benefits pursuant to A.R.S. § 23-775. Because we do not agree that Mr. Castaneda’s actions in a personal emergency constituted misconduct under the statute, we reverse.

I

The essential facts are undisputed. Mr. Castaneda was employed as a social worker by Arizona Boys…