Workers in Puerto Rico who lose their jobs can apply for unemployment benefits even if their employer never gave them a formal termination letter, according to labor law attorney Jaime Sanabria. He said labor laws protect employees affected by business closures, including possible payment for accrued vacation, severance pay (mesada) and other compensation, depending on each case.
Every employer must be aware that a padlock on the door is not the notice our laws require,
"Every employer must be aware that a padlock on the door is not the notice our laws require," Sanabria said. He explained that the federal WARN Act sets advance-notice requirements for certain business closures and mass layoffs. "Every employer who is going to close operations has to notify employees that it will close within a specific period beforehand. If it doesn’t, it has to pay 60 days of salary and benefits, and benefits include the health plan and other things," he added.
Sanabria also clarified that receiving unemployment benefits does not necessarily disqualify a worker from returning to a former position if the company resumes operations. In certain cases, laid-off employees could have reinstatement rights based on seniority. Workers who have lost their jobs can contact the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources for guidance on requirements and available benefits, at 787-754-7300.