What is considered gross misconduct under COBRA?
Rachel Ross
Updated on February 25, 2026
What is considered gross misconduct under COBRA?
Fighting, physical assault, abuse, or threatening behavior • Blatant disregard for the safety of others or serious breaches of health and safety rules • Deliberate acts of vandalism or sabotage • Any attempts to financially defraud the company or theft • Significant levels of insubordination • Dishonesty, falsification …
Is an employee terminated for gross misconduct eligible for COBRA?
Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA. Gross misconduct is not specifically defined by COBRA, but when based on an employer’s practice or policy it could include misrepresentation during the hiring process or falsifying information on a Form I-9.
Do you have to offer COBRA for gross misconduct?
When a covered employee is terminated for gross misconduct, COBRA does not have to be offered to either the employee or their dependents.
Can COBRA be denied for misconduct?
Realize that a gross misconduct determination made after a termination of employment may weaken a case for denying COBRA coverage due to gross misconduct. Once a proper gross misconduct determination is made, send notice to the former employee that he or she is being denied COBRA coverage due to gross misconduct.
What are examples of gross misconduct at work?
What constitutes gross misconduct in the workplace?
- Theft or fraud.
- Physical violence or bullying.
- Damage to property.
- Serious misuse of an organisation’s name or property.
- Deliberately accessing internet sites that contain pornographic or other offensive material.
- Setup of a competing business.
What constitutes gross misconduct in Kenya?
Gross misconduct is an act that destroys the relationship of trust and confidence between you and your employee, making your working relationship impossible to continue. This then calls for an immediate action which in this case is immediate dismissal.
What happens if I am dismissed for gross misconduct?
Usually in gross misconduct cases, you are dismissed without notice. This is also known as summary dismissal. You will, however, still be able to claim the notice that you should have received if it is found your employer should not have dismissed you for gross misconduct or did not follow the correct process.
What are examples of gross misconduct?
Examples of gross misconduct
- stealing petty cash.
- taking office supplies for personal use outside of work.
- stealing from colleagues.
- fraudulently claiming expenses.
- making gain from industrial espionage.
- falsifying work documents.
- using work premises for fraudulent or personal use.
What happens if you get done for gross misconduct?
Misconduct. Misconduct can include things like persistent lateness or unauthorised absence from work. To make sure the dismissal is fair when misconduct is not ‘serious’ or ‘gross’: Arrange a meeting with the employee, telling them the reason for it.
What qualifies for gross misconduct?
Do employers have to prove misconduct?
If you were discharged from your job, your employer must prove “misconduct” (see below). If your employer can prove your actions amounted to misconduct, the judge will deny you benefits. Because the employer has the “burden” of proving their case, they will go first in presenting their witnesses and documents.
What qualifies as gross misconduct?
Defining Gross Misconduct Examples of gross misconduct include: Fighting or making violent threats in the workplace. Stealing or vandalizing company property. Falsifying personal information or work history. Repeated tardiness or absences.
What constitutes gross misconduct?
Generally, most criminal offenses that happen in the workplace are defined as gross misconduct. This includes murder, sexual assault and embezzlement. Criminal gross misconduct is typically identified and defined in a court of law.
What are qualifying events trigger Cobra?
There are seven different “qualifying events” that trigger COBRA, which are: termination of a covered employee’s employment (other than for gross misconduct); a reduction of a covered employee’s hours of work causing a loss of coverage; the covered employee’s death; a divorce or legal separation from the covered employee;
What are Cobra guidelines?
COBRA Guidelines. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) gives employees and their families who lose their health benefits, the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their employer for a limited period of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involntary job loss (not for cause),…
What are the rules for COBRA insurance?
Federal law governs COBRA continuation coverage. The law requires any employer with 20 or more employees, and who maintains a group health insurance plan, to offer an extension of insurance coverage to employees who are about to lose it.