PA UC status shows 'rule violation' after termination - employer said they 'wouldn't be against' me collecting

Yes, 'rule violation' typically means your employer is contesting your claim based on some form of misconduct. When this happens, PA UC will schedule a determination interview with both you and your employer to get both sides of the story. You should receive a notice in the mail with the interview date (could be by phone). The employer absolutely has to provide specific details about what rule they claim you violated. They can't just say 'rule violation' without evidence. Since they told you they were 'going in a different direction' and even initially said they wouldn't oppose unemployment, you have a strong case. Make sure to continue filing your weekly claims while this is being resolved! Many people forget this step and lose benefits. Also, document EVERYTHING - especially that conversation where they said they wouldn't oppose your claim. If possible, note the date, time, and exactly who said it.

same thing happend to me last year. company said i was let go cuz of 'performance issues' but never gave me any warnings. when i filed for UC they sudenly claimed i was on my phone too much & broke company policy. the UC office will mail u papers with what the employer is saying. u get to respond to it. good luck bc pa unemployment is a MESS

What you're experiencing is very common. The 'rule violation' status appears when your employer contests your claim. Here's what happens next: 1. You'll receive a Notice of Determination Interview in the mail with a scheduled date/time 2. During this interview, a UC examiner will ask both you and your employer questions about the separation 3. Your employer MUST provide specific details about what rule they claim you violated and provide evidence 4. Since they stated they were 'going in a different direction' and initially weren't opposed to your UC claim, they'll have difficulty proving willful misconduct The burden of proof IS on the employer in willful misconduct cases. Document the conversation where they said they 'wouldn't be against' your unemployment claim - note the date, time, who you spoke with. Continue filing your weekly claims during this process! Most determinations are made within 2-3 weeks after the interview, though it can sometimes take longer.

I've been through this EXACT situation! These companies will say ANYTHING to avoid paying unemployment. They told you "going in a different direction" then try to claim misconduct after the fact??? Classic corporate BS! Here's the TRUTH they don't want you to know: in PA, if they can't prove willful misconduct, YOU GET YOUR BENEFITS! And "going in a different direction" is basically admitting it's not for cause. The system is DESIGNED to intimidate you into giving up. DON'T GIVE UP! Keep filing weekly, show up to the interview, and simply tell the truth. They have to PROVE you violated a known policy on purpose - not just claim it after the fact. The whole "rule violation" thing is just their initial response. The UC office decides, not your ex-employer!

If you need to get in touch with a PA UC representative (which I highly recommend in rule violation cases), try Claimyr. I was dealing with a similar situation where my employer was making false claims, and I couldn't get through on the UC phone lines for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to a UC rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. The rep I spoke with explained exactly what the employer was claiming and helped me understand what documentation I needed to prepare for my interview. Made a huge difference in my case outcome.

wait so ur employer said u were fired for 'going in a different direction' but now claims rule violation?? thats sketchy af. sounds like they trying to avoid paying unemployment after telling u something different. make sure u tell this to the uc examiner!!

One more important point: if your determination interview doesn't go your way, you have the right to appeal. You'll have 15 days from the date on the determination notice to file the appeal. The success rate for claimants in appeal hearings is actually quite good when employers can't provide documentation of the alleged misconduct. Also, request a copy of your personnel file from HR immediately. In Pennsylvania, you have a legal right to review your personnel file within 30 days of termination. Send a certified letter requesting it. This can be crucial evidence if they've never documented any issues with your performance or behavior prior to termination.

also dont forget they have to show that 1) there was an actual rule 2) you knew about the rule and 3) you broke it on purpose. if they never told you about whatever rule they now say you broke, thats in your favor!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm feeling much better about the situation now. I'll definitely: 1. Keep filing my weekly claims while this gets resolved 2. Request my personnel file via certified mail 3. Document everything about that conversation where they said they "wouldn't be against" my unemployment 4. Prepare for the determination interview by gathering any evidence I have I'll update here after I get the notice about what specific rule violation they're claiming. It's frustrating that they can just make claims without telling me what they are, but at least I have a better understanding of the process now.

This whole situation sounds really suspicious to me. Your employer clearly changed their story after you filed - first saying "going in a different direction" and that they "wouldn't be against" you collecting, then suddenly claiming rule violation? That's a major red flag. I went through something similar last year where my employer tried to claim misconduct after initially saying it was due to "restructuring." The key thing that helped me was having documentation of their inconsistent statements. Since you emailed HR to confirm the conversation, even though they backtracked, that email trail could be really valuable evidence. When you get to your determination interview, make sure to emphasize how their story keeps changing. The UC examiner will definitely take note of that inconsistency. Also, the fact that they shut down your company email so quickly after termination is another red flag - it looks like they're trying to prevent you from accessing evidence. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you into giving up!