Matter of Scaringelli

251 S.E.2d 728 (1979) 39 N.C. App. 648

In the Matter of Frank SCARINGELLI, Claimant, and
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Employer, and
Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

No. 7810SC247.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

February 6, 1979.

Chief Counsel Howard G. Doyle, Garland D. Crenshaw, and Thomas S. Whitaker by V. Henry Gransee, Jr., Raleigh, for appellant, Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

Frank P. Scaringelli, pro se.

ERWIN, Judge.

Appellant presents only one question for our determination:

"Did the Superior Court err in finding as a matter of law that the appellant's work as a teaching assistant was not ``employment' pursuant to G.S. 96-8(6)g.15., and therefore G.S. 96-14(1) is not applicable and no disqualification thereunder shall be imposed?"

We agree with appellee that his employment did not constitute "work" within the meaning of the statute. We find no error in the order entered by the Superior Court.

Our Legislature's purpose in enacting the Employment Security Act is set forth in G.S. 96-2:

"§ 96-2. Declaration of State public policy.—As a guide to the interpretation and application of this Chapter, the public policy of this State is declared to be as follows: Economic insecurity due to unemployment is a serious menace to the health, morals, and welfare of the people of this State. Involuntary unemployment is therefore a subject of general interest and concern which requires appropriate action by the legislature to prevent its spread and to lighten its burden which now so often falls with crushing force upon the unemployed worker and his family. The achievement of social security requires protection against this greatest hazard of our economic life. This can be provided by encouraging employers to provide more stable employment and by the systematic accumulation of funds during periods of employment to provide benefits for periods of unemployment, thus maintaining purchasing power and limiting the serious social consequences of poor relief assistance. 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 the compulsory setting aside of unemployment reserves to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed through no fault of their own."

Our Legislature sought to provide aid to those out of "work" through no fault of their own. In re Watson, 273 N.C. 629, 161 S.E.2d 1 (1968). Nowhere in the act is the word, "work," defined.

Appellant concedes that appellee's services at the University were not employment. It argues that "work" should be given its natural and ordinary meaning and that appellee's claim is consequently disqualified under G.S. 96-14(1). G.S. 96-14(1), at the time the claim was filed, provided:

"§ 96-14. Disqualification for benefits.—An individual shall be disqualified for benefits:

(1) For not less than four, nor more than 12 consecutive weeks of unemployment, which occur within a benefit year, beginning with the first day of the first week after the disqualifying act occurs with respect to which week an individual files a claim for benefits if it is determined by the Commission that such individual is, at the time such claim is filed, unemployed because he left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer, and the maximum benefits due said individual during his then current benefit year shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying the number of such consecutive weeks of unemployment by the weekly benefit amount." (Emphasis added.)

The recent amendment by the Legislature has no bearing on this case. G.S. 96-14(1)'s specific ground for disqualification of benefits when applicable prevails over the general policy provisions of G.S. 96-2. See In re Usery, 31 N.C.App. 703, 230 S.E.2d 585 (1976), dis. rev. denied, 292 N.C. 265, 233 S.E.2d 396 (1977). Sections imposing disqualifications for unemployment benefits should be strictly construed in favor of the claimant and should not be enlarged by implication. In re Watson, supra. Where, as here, the context requires a different construction, a word may be construed so as to effectuate legislative intent. In re Watson, supra.

In Webster's Third New International Dictionary (unabridged, 1976), "work" is defined as "the labor, task, or duty that affords one his accustomed means of livelihood." This is the type of "work" to which G.S. 96-14(1) applies. Appellee's services are not covered therein. His services are not "employment" within the meaning of the act, see G.S. 96-8(6)k.13 [originally enacted as G.S. 96-8(6)g.15], nor do they constitute work within the meaning of G.S. 96-14(1). It is common knowledge that many of our universities' graduate students receive financial aid. Oftentimes, they are required to work as research assistants to qualify for aid. Upon completion or termination of their studies, these students are ineligible for such aid. The aid is not a permanent method of earning a livelihood, but only a temporary job taken on and performed along with normal school work and subordinate thereto. See In re Augustine, 9 A.D.2d 837, 192 N.Y.S.2d 801 (1959). If an applicant successfully completes his studies, he is again eligible for unemployment benefits and is to be treated like any other applicant. Wyka v. Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co., 129 Conn. 71, 26 A.2d 465 (1942).

We hold that appellee's termination of his studies and subsequently his research assistantship did not constitute a voluntary abandonment of "work" within the meaning of G.S. 96-14(1).

Affirmed.

ROBERT M. MARTIN and MITCHELL, JJ., concur.