Sothras v. Employment Division

The claimant, the victim of a rape and attempted murder, left her job because she felt that she could not remain in the area of the attack while her assailant was still at large. The underlying issue in this case is whether claimant’s personal reason for leaving work can constitute "good cause” within the meaning of ORS 657.176(2)(c) and OAR 471-30-038(4). The Employment Appeals Board, one member dissenting, held that it cannot. We reverse.

The claimant worked in Roseburg as a lab technician for Douglas Community Hospital. The employer described claimant as a "very good employee” and the…