PA UC employer appeal hearing on Thursday - What should I expect as a first-timer?

These hearings are actually pretty straightforward, but it's good to prepare. First, read the hearing notice carefully - it should list the specific issue being disputed (misconduct, voluntary quit, etc). The referee will ask both you and your employer questions about your separation. Have ready: 1) your dates of employment, 2) specific details about how your job ended, 3) any documentation that supports your side (emails, warnings, handbook, etc). The most important thing is to be honest and stay calm. The referee just wants facts - keep answers brief and to the point. And don't worry about internet - it's a phone hearing, so you'll call in to a conference line using the number on your notice. Good luck!

my boss tried this crap with me last year!!! your employer is probably just trying to avoid the UI tax hit. if they laid you off they cant say you quit, thats BS. make sure you tell the referee EXACTLY what happened in the termination meeting. if they said "lack of work" then u need to say those exact words. the hearing is recorded btw.

I went through this exact situation in January. The hearing itself lasted about 45 minutes. The referee introduced himself, swore us in, and then asked questions. My former employer went first, then me. Make sure you have any evidence ready (they'll tell you how to submit it). Be super specific about dates and what was said. If you were laid off but they're claiming you quit, make sure you clearly explain that discrepancy. And yes - the fact that you've been receiving benefits will come up, but that doesn't mean much for the hearing outcome. If they rule against you, you'll have to pay back what you've received so far. But if they rule for you (which sounds likely based on what you described), nothing changes with your payments.

call in 15 mins early!!! i was late to mine and the refere was NOT happy about it

I've tried calling PA UC about my own appeal issue for DAYS and just get endless busy signals. When I do get through the prompts, it hangs up before I talk to anyone. So frustrating! I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual agent in under 20 minutes. You might want to have that ready if you need to ask questions before your hearing. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and their site is claimyr.com. Seriously saved me hours of redial nightmare. The agent I reached was really helpful explaining what documentation I needed for my hearing.

Heres a tip nobody mentioned - WRITE DOWN YOUR MAIN POINTS! I got so nervous during my hearing that I forgot half the stuff I wanted to say. I wish I had just made a simple list of bullet points to glance at. Oh and mute your phone when your not talking, background noise is super distracting.

I handle unemployment matters for a mid-size company, and I can tell you that preparation is key. Make sure you understand exactly what your employer is claiming. If they're saying you voluntarily quit but you were laid off due to lack of work, you need to clearly articulate that discrepancy. The burden of proof is generally on the employer in these cases, especially if they're challenging an already-approved claim. Also, the referee is required to make their decision based solely on testimony and evidence presented during the hearing, so don't assume they know anything about your case beforehand. Be respectful, don't interrupt, and answer questions directly. If you don't know an answer, it's better to say "I don't recall" than to guess. One last thing - if you haven't received the appeal paperwork filed by your employer, you have the right to request that information before the hearing. You should know exactly what they're claiming so you can prepare your response.

did they give u anything in writing when they laid u off?? thats GOLD if u have it. bring that!!!

About sharing documents - the notice should have instructions for submitting evidence before the hearing. There's usually a fax number or email address. You should submit that email ASAP so it's part of the official record. If you haven't already, call the referee's office (number should be on the notice) and ask about the procedure for submitting evidence. They may tell you that you need to send copies to your employer too. And regarding your earlier question about paying back benefits if you lose - they typically set up a repayment plan, you wouldn't have to pay it all back at once. But honestly, if you have documentation showing you were laid off due to workforce reduction, your chances are very good. Stay confident!

Just wanted to add - keep your answers focused on facts rather than emotions. It's easy to get worked up when someone is mischaracterizing your separation, but referees respond best to clear, factual statements. For example, instead of "They're lying about me quitting!", say "On March 15, Mr. Smith informed me and my colleagues that our positions were being eliminated due to reduced client contracts. He specifically used the term 'workforce reduction' and stated it was not related to our performance." Also, if your former employer says something that isn't true, make a note and wait for your turn to respond. The referee will give you an opportunity to address their statements. Good luck with your hearing - come back and let us know how it goes!