PA UC open issue for 'Unsatisfactory Work Performance' - stuck in limbo for weeks
I've been trying to get unemployment since I was let go from my restaurant job about 3 weeks ago. They said I wasn't meeting their standards after my 90-day probation, but honestly the manager had it out for me from day one. When I filed my initial claim, everything seemed fine until I checked my dashboard and noticed this 'Unsatisfactory Work Performance' issue flagged on my account. It's just sitting there with no updates. I've called the PA UC number at least 15 times (not exaggerating) and can't get through to ask what I'm supposed to do about this. Do I need to submit something? Will there be a phone interview? My bills are starting to pile up and I'm seriously stressing. Has anyone dealt with this specific issue before? Any advice on how to get this resolved faster?
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Luis Johnson
same thing hapend to me last month!! my boss said i wasnt fast enough at data entry but they never trained me right. the system flagged it and i had to wait for them to schedule a phone interview. took like 4 weeks before they even called me!!
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Jasmine Hernandez
Author4 WEEKS?? I can't wait that long! Did they eventually approve you? What kind of questions did they ask during the phone interview?
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Ellie Kim
When you get a work performance issue, PA UC has to investigate whether you were fired for deliberate misconduct or just not being a good fit. Big difference! If it's just performance issues (not meeting standards/targets) but you were trying your best, you should still qualify. But if they determine you were deliberately breaking rules or ignoring instructions, they'll likely deny benefits. They need to hear both sides - yours and the employer's. That's why there's usually a phone interview scheduled. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait! That's super important.
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorThank you for explaining that. I definitely wasn't breaking any rules - I just couldn't meet their crazy high expectations. I've been filing weekly claims but they all say "pending" with $0. Will I get backpay for these weeks once they approve me?
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Ellie Kim
Yes, if they approve your claim, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you properly filed. Think of those weekly claims as placeholders saying "I was eligible this week" - once they clear the main issue, all those pending weeks should process at once.
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Fiona Sand
I had almost the same issue! CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY! They denied my claim after 5 weeks because the employer claimed I "knowingly violated attendance policy" when really I was just late twice because of bus schedules!!! The SYSTEM IS RIGGED to make us wait and give up!!!
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Mohammad Khaled
The system isn't rigged, but it is overwhelmed. There's a difference between performance issues and misconduct, as someone mentioned above. Being late because of transportation isn't willful misconduct if you made efforts to arrive on time. You should definitely appeal that decision if it was recent.
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Alina Rosenthal
I worked for PA UC for 8 years, so I can explain what's happening. With an "Unsatisfactory Work Performance" issue, they need to determine if this was: 1. Just poor performance despite your best efforts (usually eligible for benefits) 2. Deliberate negligence or rule-breaking (usually not eligible) What's happening now is your employer has 7 days to respond to the state's inquiry. Some employers don't bother responding, which usually means you'll get approved after the deadline. Other employers fight claims aggressively. Try calling exactly at 7:59 AM when they open. That's your best chance of getting through.
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorThank you so much! I'll try calling right when they open tomorrow. Do you know if there's anything I can do to speed this up? Can I upload a statement explaining my side somewhere in the portal?
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Alina Rosenthal
Unfortunately, there's no way to upload a statement through the portal for this type of issue. They need to speak with you directly. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait, and make sure you're doing and documenting your required work search activities each week (applying to jobs, updating resume, etc.).
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Finnegan Gunn
If u need to talk to a real person at PA UC try this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). My sister-in-law had a similar situation and couldnt get thru for weeks. They got her a callback from UC the same day. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Worth it when ur stuck in limbo like this and cant get answers.
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorI've never heard of that before. Has anyone else used this service? I'm desperate to get this resolved but I'm also cautious about using third-party services with my unemployment claim.
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Miguel Harvey
I actually used Claimyr last month when I had an identity verification issue. It really did work - got a call back from an actual UC rep within about 2 hours. Just make sure you're ready with your claim info when they call.
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Mohammad Khaled
To directly answer your question about resolving this issue: 1. Continue calling PA UC (early morning is best) 2. Be prepared to explain why your performance issues weren't willful misconduct 3. Keep filing weekly claims and doing your work search activities 4. If they schedule a phone interview, have ready: dates of warnings/discussions about performance, any documentation of training you received, and a clear explanation of how you tried to meet expectations 5. If denied, you can appeal within 15 days - many performance-based denials get overturned on appeal Also, check your dashboard and messages daily. Sometimes they schedule interviews without much notice.
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorThank you! I really appreciate the specific steps. I did receive one verbal warning about two weeks before I was let go, but nothing in writing. I'll make sure to mention that in the interview. Hopefully I can get through to someone tomorrow morning.
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Ashley Simian
did u make sure to do ur work search requiremnts? u need 2 apply to jobs each week or they will deny u regardless of the other issue. lots of people forget this part
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorYes, I've been applying to at least 2 jobs every week and logging them in the system. I'm actually interviewing for a position next week, but I still need the unemployment to cover me until I find something.
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Luis Johnson
UPDATE on my situation - I finally got my phone interview and they approved me!! took forever but eventually got all the back payments. just hang in there. they asked me lots of details about what happened and if I had been warned before. just be honest.
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Jasmine Hernandez
AuthorThat's such a relief to hear! I'm going to keep trying to get through to someone tomorrow morning. Thanks for the update and congrats on getting approved!
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Alina Rosenthal
One more important thing: if you do get a phone interview scheduled, make absolutely sure you're available to answer that call. If you miss it, it can delay your claim by several more weeks. They typically give you a date range rather than a specific appointment time, which is frustrating but necessary for their workflow. Keep your phone with you and answer any calls from unknown or blocked numbers during that period.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
I'm in almost the exact same situation right now! Filed 2 weeks ago after being let go from my retail job for "not meeting sales targets" and have the same "Unsatisfactory Work Performance" issue just sitting there. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - I didn't realize I should keep filing weekly claims even while it's pending. I've been so frustrated trying to get through on the phone but I'm going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow like someone suggested. It's reassuring to hear that Luis got approved eventually - gives me hope that this will work out if I just stay patient and keep trying.
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