PA UC eligibility question - quit two jobs for one better job, then got fired - previous employer appealing

This is actually a common misconception about how PA UC handles base period employers. Your eligibility is primarily based on why you separated from your MOST RECENT job, not necessarily the base period employers who might be charged. Since you were fired from your most recent job for performance reasons (not misconduct), you should still qualify for benefits. The previous employer can appeal the charging, but that doesn't automatically disqualify you from receiving benefits. Make sure you explain this entire situation clearly at your appeal hearing if it comes to that.

i had something kinda like this happen but opposite way. quit my last job for a better one but the new place never actually hired me after i already quit. unemployment denied me bc i didnt have a garantee in writing from new job. so make sure u can prove u were fired and it wasnt for something bad u did

The WHOLE PA UC system is designed to TRICK people!!! I bet your old employer is just trying to avoid their UC tax rate going up. They do this ALL THE TIME to people. They don't want you back working there but they also don't want to pay for your benefits. TYPICAL CORPORATE GREED!!! Fight this appeal with everything you've got!!

Have you tried reaching a PA UC rep directly to ask about your specific situation? I was stuck in limbo for weeks trying to get answers about a similar issue earlier this year. After getting endless busy signals, I finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to a UC rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The rep was able to explain exactly how my previous employer's appeal would affect my claim. Saved me tons of stress wondering what was going on.

sorry your going thru this! my cousin had almost the same thing last year but he got fired for attenance. hope it works out for u

Different but kinda same boat here - my base period has 3 different jobs in it and it's confusing which one is responsible for what. Been waiting 6 weeks for a determination with an open issue. The whole system is backwards IMO. They should look at your most recent job FIRST and then only go back if needed. Is your claim showing as an open issue or have they already started the appeal process?

PA unemployment law is quite specific about this situation. Under Section 402(b) of the PA UC Law, voluntarily quitting a job without cause of a necessitous and compelling nature can be disqualifying. However, since you were subsequently hired at a new job and then involuntarily terminated from that position for reasons that don't constitute willful misconduct, your most recent separation is what determines eligibility. For your appeal hearing, bring: 1. Documentation showing you were fired (termination letter) 2. Any performance reviews or feedback you received 3. Documentation of your attempts to improve performance 4. Timeline of your employment/training at the new job The key is demonstrating that you made a good faith effort to perform the job adequately and that your separation wasn't due to willful misconduct. "Not catching on quickly enough" typically doesn't rise to the level of willful misconduct if you were genuinely trying.

wait i just realized something does anyone know if theres like a time limit between when u quit 1 job and start another for UC? like if u get fired from new job after 1 week vs 6 months does it matter??

Just got through a similar situation. Whatever you do, DO NOT MISS that hearing date!!!!! I missed mine because I thought it was the following week and they automatically ruled against me. Had to file another appeal just to get a new hearing date and waited another 5 weeks without benefits. The system punishes you for even the smallest mistakes while employers can drag things out forever!

I went through something very similar last year and want to share what helped me. The key thing to understand is that PA UC looks at your "most recent qualifying separation" - which in your case would be getting fired from the office job, not quitting the retail/restaurant jobs. When I had my hearing, the judge specifically said that taking a better-paying full-time job was considered "good cause" for leaving previous employment. What really helped my case was showing that I earned enough wages at the new job to establish it as my controlling employer (sounds like you did with almost 2 months of work). The previous employer's appeal is really just about who pays the UI taxes, not whether you qualify. I'd recommend calling in right when they open (8am) to try to speak with someone before your hearing - they can often clarify the status and what to expect. Also, if you haven't already, document everything about your training (or lack thereof) at the office job. Good luck!

This situation sounds really stressful, but from what you've described, you should be in good shape for your appeal. I had a somewhat similar experience where I left a job for what seemed like a better opportunity, only to have things not work out at the new place. The most important thing to remember is that PA UC focuses on your most recent separation - being fired for performance issues (not misconduct) from your office job. The fact that you quit your previous jobs to take a higher-paying position actually works in your favor, as that's generally considered reasonable cause. Your previous employer appealing is really just them trying to avoid having their UI tax rate affected - it doesn't mean you won't get benefits. Make sure you have all your documentation ready (termination letter, offer letter from the office job, any training records) and definitely don't miss that hearing date. The system can be confusing but you've got a solid case based on the facts you've shared.

I went through almost the exact same scenario about 8 months ago - left two part-time jobs for what I thought was a better full-time opportunity, then got let go after 6 weeks for "performance issues." The anxiety while waiting for the appeal hearing was terrible, but I wanted to share that it worked out in my favor. The hearing officer was very clear that since I was involuntarily terminated from my most recent job (the office position) for non-misconduct reasons, that's what determined my eligibility - not the previous voluntary separations. My former part-time employer also appealed the charges, but like others have mentioned, that's separate from whether you qualify for benefits. What really helped during my hearing was having a clear timeline of events and being able to articulate that leaving the part-time jobs for a higher-paying full-time position was a reasonable decision. From filing the appeal to getting my first payment took about 2 months total, but I did receive back pay for the weeks I was waiting. Hang in there - based on what you've described, you have a strong case!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I left my retail job last month to take what I thought was a better position at a local company, but they let me go after just 3 weeks saying I wasn't "the right fit." When I filed for UC, my old retail employer is now listed as the chargeable employer and they're fighting it. Reading everyone's responses here makes me feel much more confident about my case - it sounds like as long as we were terminated from our most recent jobs for non-misconduct reasons, we should still qualify for benefits regardless of the previous employer appeals. The documentation advice is really valuable too. I'm going to make sure I have my termination letter, the original job offer, and a clear timeline ready. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this confusing system!