PA UC appeal hearing scheduled with Amazon - anxious about what to expect

yep, had to appeal against amazon last year. they always send a lawyer and HR rep to these hearings. make sure you have copies of ANY documentation - write-ups, performance reviews, medical notes, everything. The referee will ask you to explain why you believe you should qualify for benefits, then Amazon will present their side. Stay calm and stick to facts.

I went through an appeal with Amazon in 2024. Here's what you need to know: 1. The hearing will likely be by phone. Have all your documents organized and numbered so you can reference them easily. 2. You need to prove you weren't fired for willful misconduct. This means showing either a) their productivity standards were unreasonable b) you weren't properly warned or c) you had good cause for not meeting standards. 3. Amazon will present attendance records, productivity reports, and your signed acknowledgment of policies. 4. Request your personnel file IMMEDIATELY - PA law says employers must provide this within 30 days of request. 5. Document any medical issues that affected your performance with doctor's notes if possible. 6. Practice explaining your side clearly and concisely. You don't need a lawyer but being organized is crucial. Stay focused on facts, not emotions, during the hearing.

Amazon is THE WORST with these appeals!!! They denied me too and I had to wait 11 weeks for my hearing!!! The system is RIGGED against workers!!

When you're preparing for your appeal against Amazon, focus specifically on their progressive discipline policy. From my experience as an employment counselor, Amazon's fulfillment centers should give multiple documented warnings before termination for productivity issues. For your hearing: 1. Request ALL performance metrics they used to evaluate you 2. Get a copy of their specific productivity standards 3. Document any equipment failures or system issues that affected your rate 4. Note any training deficiencies 5. Keep a timeline of all verbal discussions about your performance The referee will specifically look at whether Amazon followed their own procedures and if you were given reasonable opportunity to improve. Without documented warnings, Amazon often loses these cases. Be prepared for them to bring up any attendance issues or other policy violations to strengthen their case. Stay focused on the official reason they provided for termination.

i had my hearing with amazon last year and it was a joke. they came with a stack of papers but the referee kept asking them for specific documentation of warnings they gave me and they couldn't produce any!!! i won my case and got all my backpay. just be honest and explain your side clearly. also if u have text messages or emails with your manager about any of this BRING THEM!! that saved me.

Has anyone tried using Claimyr to reach PA UC while waiting for their appeal? I was in the same situation with Amazon last month and was going crazy with no income while waiting. I couldn't get through to anyone at UC to check on my claim status until someone told me about claimyr.com. They got me connected to an actual UC rep in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The rep was able to tell me exactly what was going on with my claim and what to expect at the hearing. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

One more important thing: during your Amazon appeal hearing, when the referee asks if you have questions for Amazon's representatives, ALWAYS ask them to provide specific dates and documentation of any warnings they claim to have given you. If they say they verbally warned you, ask if they have any notes documenting these conversations. Also, PA UC appeals now allow you to submit evidence electronically before the hearing. Take advantage of this! Submit everything you have at least 3 days before the hearing. After your hearing, regardless of the outcome, continue filing your weekly claims while you wait for the decision. If you win, you'll get backpay for all properly filed weeks.

forgot to mention - if your hearing is by phone make sure your phone is charged!!! mine died halfway thru and i nearly had a heart attack. the referee let me call back but was annoyed.

Random but related - anyone know how long Amazon fights these appeals? Like do they ever just not show up? My roommate had an appeal scheduled against them and they never called in so she automatically won.

After your hearing, you should receive a decision within 10-14 days. If you win, payments usually start within a week after the decision, including all back weeks. If you lose, you have 15 calendar days to file a further appeal to the UC Board of Review. Keep in mind that more than 50% of initial denials are overturned on appeal, especially in cases where the employer can't document progressive discipline. The fact that you had medical issues that affected your performance is also significant. One final tip: Write down a brief opening and closing statement before your hearing. The referee will give you a chance to summarize your case at the beginning and end. Having these prepared helps you stay organized when you're nervous.

I went through a similar situation with Amazon's Bethlehem warehouse in 2023. Here's what helped me win my appeal: 1. Get everything in writing NOW - send an email to your former manager asking for clarification on the specific productivity metrics you allegedly didn't meet and what warnings were given. Even if they don't respond, you'll have proof you tried to get documentation. 2. If you had any conversations with HR or managers about your medical issues, write down everything you remember - dates, times, what was said. Even without doctor's notes, your testimony about informing them of health issues is still evidence. 3. During the hearing, emphasize that Amazon has a written progressive discipline policy that requires documented coaching sessions before termination. Ask them to show the referee your complete disciplinary file. 4. Amazon's lawyers often try to overwhelm you with productivity data, but the key question is whether you received proper warnings and opportunity to improve. The good news is that many Amazon appeals are successful because their HR departments are inconsistent with documentation. Stay calm, stick to facts, and don't let their lawyer intimidate you. You've got this!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got denied benefits after being let go from a warehouse job and waiting for my appeal hearing. Reading through everyone's advice here is really helpful! @Malik Robinson - it sounds like you have a strong case, especially since they didn't follow their own progressive discipline policy. The fact that multiple people here have won appeals against Amazon when the company couldn't provide proper documentation of warnings is encouraging. One thing I learned from my research is that you can also request witness testimony if any coworkers saw how you were treated or can speak to your work performance. Sometimes having a former colleague vouch for you can make a difference, especially if they can confirm that you weren't properly warned about performance issues. Also, don't forget to document any accommodations you requested for your medical issues, even if they were denied or ignored. The fact that you informed management about your back problems and they didn't provide reasonable accommodations could actually strengthen your case. Good luck with your hearing on April 12th! It sounds like you're getting great advice here and preparing well. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just want to add one more crucial point - make sure you have a backup plan for the hearing day itself. Write down the hearing number, referee's name, and phone number in multiple places. I've seen people miss their hearings because they lost the notification letter or their phone died. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed before the hearing, remember that the referee is neutral - they're not on Amazon's side. Their job is to determine if you qualify for benefits based on the evidence presented. The fact that Amazon is bringing a lawyer doesn't automatically mean they have a strong case; it's just their standard procedure. One last thing - even if you feel like the hearing didn't go well, don't panic. Sometimes these decisions can surprise you. I know someone who thought they bombed their appeal hearing but still won because Amazon couldn't produce the documentation they claimed to have. You've gotten excellent advice in this thread and it sounds like you're preparing thoroughly. That puts you ahead of a lot of people who go into these hearings unprepared. Wishing you the best of luck on April 12th!

@Luca Marino Most hearings last between 30-45 minutes, but I'd block out at least 2 hours just to be safe - sometimes there are delays or the referee needs extra time to review evidence. And yes, it's totally normal to feel nervous! I was shaking before mine, but once it started and I realized the referee was just trying to get the facts, I calmed down. One thing that really helped me was doing a practice run the night before - I had my roommate ask me questions about my case so I could practice explaining everything clearly. Also, have a glass of water nearby during the call because your mouth will get dry from talking so much. The financial stress definitely makes it feel more intense, but remember that you're fighting for benefits you're entitled to. Stay focused on the facts of your case and don't let Amazon's lawyer throw you off with intimidation tactics. You've got this!

I went through a similar appeal with Amazon's warehouse in Chester County last fall and won! Here are a few additional tips that really helped me: 1. Before the hearing, call the PA UC appeals office and confirm they received any documents you submitted. Sometimes things get lost in their system. 2. When Amazon presents their case, take notes! They often contradict themselves between what they say verbally and what their documents show. 3. If they claim you were "uncoachable" or had attitude problems, ask them for specific examples with dates and witnesses. They usually can't provide concrete evidence of this. 4. Amazon loves to bring up attendance even when termination was for productivity. Don't let them muddy the waters - keep steering back to their stated reason for firing you. 5. The medical accommodation angle is huge! Document everything about your requests and their responses (or lack thereof). PA takes failure to accommodate seriously. I was terrified going into my hearing but the referee was professional and fair. Amazon's lawyer was aggressive but couldn't provide the progressive discipline documentation they claimed to have. I got approved and received 8 weeks of backpay. You sound well-prepared, and the fact that you only had one coaching session before termination is a red flag that will work in your favor. Stay confident!

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful! I'm also dealing with a warehouse termination appeal (not Amazon, but similar situation with lack of documented warnings). One thing I want to add that might help @Malik Robinson - if you have any text messages or emails from coworkers about your termination, those can be valuable evidence too. Sometimes people will text things like "I can't believe they fired you without warning" or "that was so sudden" - those kinds of messages help show that your termination was unexpected and didn't follow normal procedures. Also, for anyone else going through this process, I learned that you can request an interpreter if English isn't your first language, and you can also ask for the hearing to be rescheduled once if you have a legitimate conflict (like a medical appointment you can't move). The stress is real but it sounds like @Malik Robinson has a solid case with the lack of progressive discipline. Amazon's own policies will work against them if they didn't follow them properly. Good luck to everyone dealing with these appeals - it's tough but winnable!

I just went through this exact same process with Amazon's warehouse in Harrisburg last month and WON my appeal! Reading your post brought back all the anxiety I felt leading up to my hearing. Here's what really helped me prepare: 1. Create a timeline document with dates of ANY conversations about your performance, even informal ones. Include your medical issues and when you reported them to management. 2. Amazon's progressive discipline policy requires THREE documented coaching sessions before termination for productivity. If you only had one, that's a huge violation of their own policy. 3. Print out Amazon's employee handbook section on progressive discipline and highlight the relevant parts. When they can't show they followed their own rules, it really hurts their case. 4. For the medical accommodation piece - even verbal requests matter! Write down exactly what you told your supervisor about your back issues and their response. The ADA requires them to engage in an "interactive process" when you report medical limitations. 5. During the hearing, let Amazon present first, then point out specifically where they failed to follow their procedures. My hearing lasted about 40 minutes and I got the favorable decision 9 days later. The referee said Amazon's failure to provide documented warnings was the deciding factor. You've got a strong case - that one coaching session before termination is going to work in your favor big time. Stay confident!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that really helped me during my Amazon appeal last year - prepare for their "gotcha" questions! Amazon's lawyer will often ask things like "Did you understand the productivity requirements when you were hired?" and "Did you sign acknowledgment that you received the employee handbook?" They're trying to get you to admit you knew the rules and chose not to follow them. The key is to answer honestly but then immediately pivot to the real issue: "Yes, I understood the requirements, BUT Amazon has a written policy requiring three documented coaching sessions before termination, and they only gave me one." Also, if they bring up your medical issues, don't let them frame it as you making excuses. Frame it as "I informed management of my medical limitations and requested accommodations, which they denied without engaging in the required interactive process." One more thing - Amazon often claims they provided "verbal warnings" that weren't documented. Always ask: "Where are your notes from these alleged verbal warnings? What's your company policy on documenting verbal warnings?" Usually they can't produce anything because these conversations either never happened or weren't properly recorded. You've got great advice in this thread already, but don't let their corporate lawyer intimidate you. Stick to the facts and keep hammering home that they violated their own progressive discipline policy. Good luck on April 12th!

I went through an Amazon appeal in Pittsburgh last year and won! Here's what sealed the deal for me: Amazon's biggest weakness is their inconsistent documentation across different warehouses. When the referee asked them to produce my complete disciplinary file, they had gaps and missing paperwork. They claimed I had multiple verbal warnings but couldn't show ANY documentation of when these happened, who gave them, or what was discussed. A few practical tips for your April 12th hearing: 1. When they present their productivity data, ask them to explain exactly how they calculated your rates and if they accounted for any system downtime or equipment issues during your shifts. 2. If you ever helped train new employees or covered extra duties, mention this! It shows you were a reliable worker, not someone with performance problems. 3. Amazon warehouses are supposed to track "coachable moments" vs "corrective actions" - ask them to clarify which category your one documented session fell under and why they skipped straight to termination. 4. The medical accommodation failure is HUGE in PA. Even if you don't have doctor's notes, your testimony about reporting back issues and being told to "tough it out" shows they didn't engage in good faith interactive process. The referee will be looking for whether Amazon followed their own policies and gave you fair opportunity to improve. With only one coaching session, you have a really strong case. Don't let their corporate presentation intimidate you - stick to the facts and keep pointing out their policy violations!

I'm really impressed by all the detailed advice and support in this thread! As someone who's dealt with unemployment appeals (though not with Amazon specifically), I want to emphasize something that several people touched on but is worth repeating: the referee's job is to determine if you were terminated for "willful misconduct" under PA law. The key word here is "willful" - it's not enough for Amazon to show you didn't meet productivity standards. They have to prove you DELIBERATELY failed to meet standards despite knowing what was expected and receiving proper warnings. With only one coaching session and no documented progressive discipline, they're going to have a really hard time proving willful misconduct. Also, @Malik Robinson, make sure you're prepared to explain the timeline of your medical issues in relation to your performance. If your back problems started affecting your work and you informed management but they failed to provide accommodations or consider your medical limitations, that could actually shift the burden back to them to show they acted reasonably. One last thing - don't be surprised if Amazon tries to settle or withdraw their opposition right before the hearing. Sometimes when they realize they don't have proper documentation, they'll back down rather than risk losing officially on the record. Either way, you sound incredibly well-prepared thanks to all the great advice in this thread!