PA UC hearing tomorrow - desperate for tips to win my appeal

I won my PA UC appeal hearing last year! Here's what helped me: 1) Write down your main points with SPECIFIC dates and examples. 2) Stay calm and professional - don't interrupt even when your employer says things you disagree with. 3) Answer questions directly and honestly. 4) Have your employment documents ready (any warnings, performance reviews, etc.). 5) Explain clearly why your employer's version is incorrect. The referee will guide the conversation, but be prepared to explain your side. Good luck!

referee is gonna ask u questions first then ur boss gets to talk then u can respond. my hearing was like 45 mins. just be honest dont make stuff up they can tell

I went through this EXACT situation in February. The system is RIGGED against us! My former employer straight-up LIED about why they fired me, and the referee barely let me speak. Make sure you RECORD THE CALL (PA is a two-party state so announce you're recording at the beginning). Don't let them rush you and DEMAND your right to present evidence. I lost my first hearing because I wasn't aggressive enough but won on the second appeal to the board.

I help people prepare for UC appeals, and here's what matters most: EVIDENCE and PENNSYLVANIA LAW. The referee will decide based on Section 402(e) misconduct standards. To win, you need to prove either: 1) You didn't do what employer claims, OR 2) What you did doesn't meet legal definition of misconduct. Bring documentation showing good performance, company policies, and any evidence contradicting their claims. Be specific about incidents, dates, and witnesses. Don't get emotional - stick to facts. The burden of proof is on your employer to show willful misconduct. Good luck tomorrow!

After struggling to reach someone at PA UC for weeks about my appeal (constant busy signals, disconnected calls), I finally used Claimyr to get through to a representative who explained exactly what to expect at my hearing. They connected me to a UC agent in under 10 minutes! Check out their video demo: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 or website (claimyr.com). The agent gave me specific tips for my situation that probably saved my case. Might be worth trying today to get some last-minute guidance specific to your situation.

Make sure u know what type of misconduct they're claiming!! Cuz theres different types. My boss said I was constantly late (attendance misconduct) but I had doctor notes for most absenses so I won my appeal. But if they say u violated a specific policy u need to show u either didnt know about it or had good reason to break it. The type of misconduct changes what u need to prove!!!

I represented my sister at her hearing last month when she broke her leg the day before and couldn't focus. Hearings are intimidating but remember - they happen everyday and are pretty standardized. Just a tip - my sister had a note from her therapist about some accommodations she needed at work that her employer ignored. That documentation from a third party really seemed to influence the referee's decision in her favor. Any third-party documentation will strengthen your case!

UPDATE: I had my hearing this morning and it went better than expected! The referee was actually really fair and my employer didn't have any documentation of warnings or performance issues. They kept saying I "wasn't meeting expectations" but couldn't give specific examples. The referee asked a lot about whether I received any warnings before being fired, which I hadn't. Thank you all for your advice - especially about staying calm and sticking to facts. Now I just have to wait for the decision. Fingers crossed!!!

Congratulations on getting through your hearing! It sounds like you handled it really well. The fact that your employer couldn't provide specific documentation or examples of performance issues is a huge red flag for them. In PA, employers need to show willful misconduct with clear evidence - vague statements like "not meeting expectations" without proper documentation or progressive discipline almost never hold up. You should feel confident about your chances. The waiting period is nerve-wracking but based on what you've shared, this sounds like a strong case in your favor. Keep us updated when you get the decision!

So glad to hear your hearing went well! It definitely sounds like you were well-prepared despite feeling anxious beforehand. The fact that your employer couldn't provide any concrete documentation or specific examples is a major weakness in their case. In PA unemployment appeals, employers really need to demonstrate willful misconduct with clear evidence - not just vague statements about performance. The referee asking repeatedly about warnings is actually a really good sign for you since that's one of the key factors they look for. You did exactly the right thing by staying factual and calm. Now comes the hardest part - waiting for that decision letter! But honestly, based on how you described the hearing, it sounds like you have every reason to be optimistic. Hoping you get good news soon and can put this whole stressful situation behind you!

This is such encouraging news! It sounds like you absolutely crushed that hearing despite being so nervous beforehand. The fact that your employer came completely unprepared with no documentation is honestly embarrassing for them - it shows they were just hoping to intimidate you into not appealing. In PA, the burden of proof is entirely on the employer to demonstrate willful misconduct, and "not meeting expectations" without any written warnings or specific incidents is basically an admission that they have no case. The referee asking repeatedly about warnings tells you everything you need to know about where their head is at. You should be really proud of yourself for staying composed and sticking to the facts - that's exactly what wins these cases. The waiting period is absolutely brutal but honestly, I'd be shocked if this doesn't go your way. Keep checking that mailbox!