Can PA UC deny benefits for being fired due to Amazon attendance policy violations?

OMG im in almost the EXACT same boat!! got fired from Amazon Carlisle last month for 'attendance issues' even tho half my tardies were because their stupid parking lot is a nightmare!!! I filed right away and got denied for 'willful misconduct' so I filed an appeal. still waiting to hear back and its been 3 weeks. They told me the appeal hearing would be over the phone. im so stressed I cant sleep

Generally, PA unemployment considers attendance issues as willful misconduct UNLESS you can prove the absences/tardiness were for good cause beyond your control. Since you mentioned your child was sick for some absences, you should gather medical documentation. For the car trouble incident, any repair receipts or towing service documentation would help. The key factors PA UC looks at are: 1. Whether you violated a known company policy (Amazon's attendance policy) 2. Whether you had good cause for the violations 3. Whether you followed proper call-off procedures File your claim immediately and thoroughly explain each absence/tardy with documentation when possible. If denied, definitely appeal - many Amazon cases get overturned on appeal because the burden of proof is on the employer.

I worked at Amazon for 2 years and saw this ALL THE TIME. The attendance policy is brutal! Just a tip - when you file your claim, be very specific about each absence and tardy. Don't just say "kid was sick" - explain exactly what happened, what time you called, who you spoke to. The system is designed to just automatically deny you the first time. Almost EVERYONE has to appeal. It's frustrating but part of their system.

I had success getting benefits after being fired from Amazon in Lewisberry for attendance. Here's what worked for me: 1. I couldn't get through to anyone at PA UC for weeks - constant busy signals and disconnections when trying to explain my situation 2. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at unemployment. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 3. Once I got through to someone, I explained that my absences were for legitimate medical reasons (had documentation) and that I followed Amazon's call-off procedure every time 4. I still had to appeal the initial denial, but having spoken to someone who added notes to my file seemed to help my case The key was getting to actually talk to a real person who could understand my situation rather than just having my claim automatically processed.

Here's the legal standard PA uses for attendance-based misconduct: If attendance issues are the reason for termination, UC will look at whether your absences/tardiness constituted "willful misconduct" under Section 402(e) of the PA UC Law. The employer has the burden of proving: 1. The existence of an attendance policy 2. That you were aware of this policy 3. That you violated this policy without good cause "Good cause" means circumstances beyond your control (illness, family emergency, transportation breakdown with evidence of attempts to find alternative transportation). Document everything. Success rates on appeal for attendance issues are actually quite high when claimants have documentation and legitimate reasons for absences.

u should apply anyway, worst they can say is no. my cousin got fired from amazon for something similar but he got approved. i think it depends who reviews ur case tbh

Def file!! Amazon denies everyone! I got fired from there last xmas season for attendance and got benefits after i appealed. the whole system is messed up. took like 6 weeks to get first payment tho so apply asap!!!

Just an update on my situation - I had my appeal hearing last week and WON! Amazon sent some junior HR person who couldn't answer specific questions about my case. The referee focused on whether I had "good cause" for my absences and whether I followed proper call-off procedures. Since I had documentation for my medical appointments and had called the ERC each time, I was approved for benefits. Don't give up!

Btw i heard amazon fighting UC claims extra hard right now cause theyre laying off so many people. my friend works in HR there and said theyre contesting everything.

Important tip: When you file, make sure you're using PA's CURRENT weekly work search requirements. You must complete and document AT LEAST ONE work search activity per week (applying to jobs, attending job fairs, creating profiles on employment websites, etc). Many people lose benefits because they don't realize this is required EVERY WEEK, even while waiting for an appeal decision.

I went through something similar last year at Amazon in Allentown - fired for attendance after 8 months. What really helped my case was organizing everything chronologically with specific times and dates. I made a simple chart showing each absence/tardy, the reason, what time I called the ERC, and any documentation I had. When I got to the appeal hearing, the referee was impressed that I had everything laid out clearly. Also, don't let them intimidate you about the "willful misconduct" language - that's just standard HR speak. If you had legitimate reasons and followed their call-off procedures, you have a strong case. File your claim TODAY though, because there's a waiting period even if you win. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation - just got terminated from Amazon last week for attendance issues and I'm terrified about getting denied for UC benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both scary and encouraging at the same time. It sounds like the key things are: 1) File immediately even if you think you'll get denied, 2) Document EVERYTHING with dates and times, 3) Don't give up after the initial denial - appeal!, and 4) Focus on proving you had "good cause" for absences and followed proper procedures. I'm definitely going to start putting together that chronological chart someone mentioned with all my call-off details. Has anyone had success when some of their absences were just regular sick days (not family emergencies)? I had a few days where I was genuinely too sick to work but didn't go to the doctor since it was just a bad cold/flu. Worried that won't count as "good cause" without medical documentation. Also, for those who won their appeals - how long did it take from filing the appeal to actually getting your hearing scheduled? Trying to plan financially here since I'm a single parent too and really stressed about making ends meet.

I'm going through something very similar right now - got terminated from Amazon a few days ago for attendance issues and I'm honestly panicking about the whole UC process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful though, especially seeing that people are actually winning these appeals! I had 5 tardies and 2 absences over about 4 months. One absence was when my car broke down on the highway (I have the towing receipt), and the other was when I had food poisoning. The tardies were mostly traffic-related but a couple were my fault - I overslept twice. I always called the ERC though and got confirmation numbers. My biggest worry is that HR mentioned "willful misconduct" when they fired me too, and I keep seeing that phrase in the denial letters people are talking about. But it sounds like that's just their standard language and doesn't necessarily mean you can't win on appeal? I'm definitely going to file today and start putting together that documentation chart everyone's mentioning. For anyone who's been through this - is it worth trying to get a statement from the towing company about my car breakdown, or is the receipt enough proof? Just want to make sure I have everything I need for when this inevitably gets denied the first time. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making this whole situation feel a little less hopeless!