Mo. Rev. Stat. § 288.020

Current with changes from the 2023 Legislative Session
Section 288.020 - Public policy declared - construction of law
1. As a guide to the interpretation and application of this law, the public policy of this state is declared to be as follows: Economic insecurity due to unemployment is a serious menace to health, morals, and welfare of the people of this state resulting in a public calamity. The legislature, therefore, declares that in its considered judgment the public good and the general welfare of the citizens of this state require the enactment of this measure, under the police powers of the state, for compulsory setting aside of unemployment reserves to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed through no fault of their own.
2. This law shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purpose to promote employment security both by increasing opportunities for jobs through the maintenance of a system of public employment offices and by providing for the payment of compensation to individuals in respect to their unemployment.

§ 288.020, RSMo

L. 1951 p. 564

(1964) As used in this section "fault" is not limited to conduct of the employee which is blameworthy or worthy of censure but means also failure of volition. Neely v. Industrial Comm. of Mo., Div. of Employment Security (A.), 379 S.W.2d 201. (1977) Change in sick leave policy, rescheduling of working hours and change of wage payment dates was not "good cause" for voluntary termination of employment by claimant. Belle State Bank v. Industrial Commission Division of Employment Security (A.), 547 S.W.2d 841.