288.020. Public policy declared--construction of law. - Missouri Statutes

Public policy declared--construction of law.

288.020. 1. As a guide to the interpretation andapplication of this law, the public policy of this state isdeclared to be as follows: Economic insecurity due tounemployment is a serious menace to health, morals, and welfareof the people of this state resulting in a public calamity. Thelegislature, therefore, declares that in its considered judgmentthe public good and the general welfare of the citizens of thisstate require the enactment of this measure, under the policepowers of the state, for compulsory setting aside of unemploymentreserves to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed throughno fault of their own.

2. This law shall be liberally construed to accomplish itspurpose to promote employment security both by increasingopportunities for jobs through the maintenance of a system ofpublic employment offices and by providing for the payment ofcompensation to individuals in respect to their unemployment.

(L. 1951 p. 564)

CROSS REFERENCE:

Division of motor carrier and railroad safety abolished, duties and functions transferred to highways and transportation commission and department of transportation, RSMo 226.008

(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.