PA UC appeal hearing timeframe - employer brought lawyer and what if I lose?

Appeal decisions typically take 2-3 weeks after the hearing to be mailed out in PA. And yes, if you lose at the referee level, you can appeal to the UC Board of Review within 15 days of receiving the referee's decision. Many people do this, so don't worry about that part. About the lawyer thing - that's pretty common for employers, especially larger companies. It doesn't automatically mean you'll lose! The referee is supposed to help guide you through the process even if you don't have representation.

i had my hearing in janurary and the decision came in 8 days... but my freind waited almost a month so its kinda random i think

My employer brought a lawyer too and I STILL WON my case!! They try to intimidate you with that lawyer garbage but the referee only cares about FACTS not fancy legal talk. If you were fired without real misconduct or quit with good cause, you should be fine. And YES you can appeal again if you lose - I had to appeal twice before winning my case. The system is DESIGNED to wear you down so you'll give up!!!

What you're describing is a standard part of the PA UC appeals process. Here's what to expect: 1. Referee decisions typically arrive within 10-14 business days, though it can sometimes take up to 3 weeks. 2. If you receive an unfavorable decision, you have 15 calendar days (not business days) from the mailing date on the decision to file an appeal to the Board of Review. 3. Board of Review appeals take longer - usually 4-6 weeks for a decision. 4. If you lose at the Board level, you can appeal to the Commonwealth Court within 30 days, but at that point you might want to consult with legal aid. Don't worry too much about the employer having legal representation. Referees are used to conducting hearings with unrepresented claimants and will make sure you have a fair opportunity to present your case.

The same thing happened to me when I had my hearing last year. My employer brought a lawyer and I thought I was doomed! Took about 2 weeks to get my decision in the mail. I lost but appealed to the board and then I won! Don't give up! The whole process took like 3 months from start to finish though so prepare financially if you can.

Has anyone tried using Claimyr to reach someone at PA UC about checking the status of an appeal? I was going crazy not knowing what was happening with my appeal, tried calling for DAYS and couldn't get through. Then I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual person at unemployment in about 20 minutes. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent was able to tell me exactly where my appeal was in the process and when to expect the decision.

To answer your follow-up question about benefits during appeals - if you win at the referee level and the employer appeals to the Board, you can receive benefits during that appeal period. However, if the Board later reverses the referee's decision, you might have to repay those benefits as an overpayment. It's a bit of a gamble, but many people need the money immediately and choose to accept the benefits while the higher appeal is pending. Just be aware of the potential repayment risk.

my brother said if u lose u can ask for a reconsideration too before doing the whole next appeal thing, might be faster

hey did u record the hearing?? i heard thats important for if u need to appeal again

Just curious - what was your separation reason? That makes a huge difference in appeal outcomes.

Based on your situation (termination for alleged performance issues with no formal documentation), you actually have a decent case. PA unemployment law requires employers to show willful misconduct for a disqualification, and poor performance without warnings typically doesn't meet that standard. The fact that you didn't receive formal warnings works in your favor. To answer your recording question - the referee already makes an official recording of the hearing, and that becomes part of the record if there's a Board appeal. You don't need your own recording, and in fact, some referees don't allow participants to record hearings.

Just wanted to add some encouragement here - I went through almost the exact same situation last year! My employer brought a lawyer to the hearing and I was terrified, but I ended up winning because they couldn't prove willful misconduct. The key thing that helped me was staying calm and sticking to the facts about what actually happened. One tip for while you're waiting - start documenting everything you remember about your termination and any interactions with your employer. If you do need to appeal to the Board level, having all those details written down will be super helpful. Also, if you're struggling financially while waiting, check if your county has any emergency rent assistance programs. Some of them don't require you to be receiving unemployment benefits yet. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but you've got this! 🤞

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just had my hearing last week and my former employer brought their HR director AND a lawyer! I felt so intimidated but tried to stay focused on the facts. Like others have said, the referee seemed fair and made sure I had a chance to tell my side of the story. One thing that helped me prepare (even though I found out about it too late) was looking up PA unemployment law online. There are some good resources that explain what constitutes "willful misconduct" vs regular performance issues. From what I learned, employers have to prove you deliberately violated company policy or were repeatedly warned about specific issues. Since you mentioned you didn't get formal warnings, that's actually a good sign! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of us. The waiting is absolutely brutal but try to stay positive - it sounds like you have a solid case based on what you've shared.

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally understand the anxiety you're feeling right now! The waiting period after the hearing is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're worried about paying bills. A few things that might help ease your mind: First, the fact that you didn't receive formal warnings before being terminated actually puts you in a pretty strong position. In PA, employers need to prove "willful misconduct" to disqualify someone from benefits, and performance issues without proper documentation rarely meet that threshold. Second, don't let the lawyer intimidate you - I've seen plenty of cases where employers bring legal representation but still lose because they simply don't have the facts on their side. The referee's job is to determine what actually happened, not who has the fancier presentation. While you're waiting for the decision, I'd recommend putting together a timeline of events leading up to your termination, including any conversations with supervisors, performance reviews (or lack thereof), and company policies that may be relevant. If you do need to appeal to the Board level, having everything organized will make the process much smoother. Stay strong - based on what you've shared, you have good grounds for your appeal. The system can be frustrating but don't give up!