Can I get PA unemployment if fired for 'lack of motivation'? Need answers fast

Being fired for 'lack of motivation' without any prior written warnings actually works in your favor for PA UC. What matters is whether your actions rise to the level of 'willful misconduct' which is what disqualifies you. General dissatisfaction with your performance without documentation typically doesn't meet that standard. File your claim immediately and be honest about the reason - just state exactly what they told you. When your employer responds, PA UC will make a determination. Don't wait to file though, as benefits start from when you file, not when you lost your job.

i went thru almost the same thing last year! my boss said i wasnt 'enthusiastic enough' lol. got my benefits no problem. key thing is they didnt give u warnings or write ups. just be super honest when u file ur claim

MAKE SURE you tell them EXACTLY what happened!!! PA UC loves to DENY people for ANY little reason they can find! I got denied the first time because they said I wasn't specific enough about why I lost my job. Definitely say they never gave you warnings!!! And keep a record of EVERYTHING, save any emails or texts from your boss. I learned the hard way that employers will sometimes lie about why they fired you to avoid paying UC!!!!!

good luck with ur claim. hope it works out for u

You should qualify in this situation. Here's why: 1. PA defines willful misconduct as a deliberate violation of employer rules, disregard of standards of behavior an employer can reasonably expect, or negligence showing an intentional disregard of the employer's interest. 2. "Lack of motivation" without specific documented examples is subjective and generally considered poor performance rather than misconduct. 3. The absence of prior warnings is significant - UC typically looks for patterns of behavior the employee was warned about but continued. When filing, include these key details: - Your length of employment (9 months) - The specific reason given for termination (exact wording if possible) - The lack of prior warnings or disciplinary actions - Any positive performance feedback you received If your employer contests it, you'll receive a notice of determination with appeal rights. Keep an eye on your dashboard for any messages requiring response.

When I filed my PA unemployment claim last month, I got stuck in this awful loop of busy signals for THREE DAYS trying to reach a real person to ask questions. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a UC rep in like 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. After talking to the rep, I found out my employer was contesting my claim which is why it was taking so long. Might be worth checking out if you run into issues reaching anyone.

My situation was kind of similar to yours back in January. Honestly, the term "lack of motivation" is so vague that UC representatives will likely need more details from your employer. In my case, when the UC office contacted my former boss, they couldn't provide specific examples of misconduct, just general complaints about my attitude. I was approved after about 3 weeks. One thing - make sure you're completing your weekly certifications even while waiting for a decision! I messed this up and lost a week of benefits.

Just checking back - have you filed your claim yet? Remember that in PA you must register for PA CareerLink within 30 days of filing your initial claim. You'll also need to complete and document at least 6 work search activities per week (applying to jobs, attending job fairs, creating a resume, etc.).

my brother had the same thing happen and they denied him but then he appealed and won so dont give up if they say no at first

Update: I got a notice saying my employer is contesting my claim, saying I was "disengaged at work" and "refused to participate in team activities." None of this was ever mentioned to me when they fired me! They're now claiming they gave me verbal warnings which is NOT true. I'm so stressed - what should I do next?

This exact thing happened to me! When it went to the hearing, the UC referee asked my employer for PROOF of these verbal warnings - like dates, what was said, who was present, etc. They couldn't provide anything concrete and just kept saying vague things about my "attitude." The referee ruled in my favor because they had no documentation. Make sure you attend your hearing and stay professional - it makes a huge difference!

Good news! Just got the determination letter today and I was APPROVED! The UC examiner said my employer didn't provide sufficient evidence that I committed willful misconduct. They said performance issues without proper documentation and warnings don't constitute misconduct under PA law. Thank you everyone for your help and support through this stressful process! First payment should arrive next week.

Congratulations! This is such a relief to read. Your case gives me hope since my situation sounds almost identical. I'm still waiting for my determination letter after my employer contested my claim with similar vague accusations. It's reassuring to know that PA UC actually does look for real evidence of misconduct rather than just taking the employer's word for it. Thanks for sharing the positive outcome!