To directly answer your question: Yes, you can definitely join by phone, and yes, you can leave early. The phone option works through their Webex system - when you dial in, you'll need to enter the meeting number followed by the # sign. For your job search log, make sure to document: - The exact name of the job fair - The date and time you attended - Names of at least 3 employers you interacted with - Any positions you expressed interest in This detailed documentation is important in case ESD has questions about your job search activities later. Since these virtual job fairs count as multiple job search activities, it's worth making the effort to attend even if only for the first hour.

btw when ur there make sure u talk to the healthcare companies they seemed to have the most actual jobs vs just collecting resumes

Make sure you're super clear on your appeal form about why this is wrong. When I had my hearing with the Administrative Law Judge, they specifically asked why I didn't respond to the original notice years ago. Have your answer ready - in your case, that your benefits were exhausted so you reasonably believed no response was needed. Also keep in mind that for the current disqualification, you'll need to address the performance standards issue separately. That's often a difficult basis for approval unless you can show it wasn't your fault or there were mitigating circumstances. The old paperwork issue might be resolved, but you'll still need to overcome the performance-based termination.

Absolutely include those emails about the new metrics! That's exactly the kind of evidence that can help overcome a performance-based disqualification. If you can show the standards were unreasonable or that you weren't given adequate time/training to meet them, you have a much stronger case. For the appeal process, submit both issues: 1) The training benefits form from 2018 was not responded to because benefits were exhausted, and 2) The performance standards that led to your termination were newly implemented with insufficient time to adapt. Make copies of EVERYTHING before you send it in.

pro tip: hit 4 then 2 then 1 then 3 in the phone menu. gets u to a different queue. worked for me last time

Just to follow up - did you get your standby issue resolved? If your employer has submitted the extension request, you should be able to see the updated standby end date in your eServices account under "Summary of Current Claim." If it's been more than 48 hours since they submitted it and you don't see the update, that would be a valid reason to call in as it might indicate a system issue.

I tried calling ESD for DAYS about a similar issue last month and could never get through. The wait times are insane. I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it when you need to actually talk to someone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website is claimyr.com if you end up needing to call about the union status thing.

To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, file normally: report zero hours/wages, available for work, and answer all questions as usual. 2. You don't need to do anything special since the claim has remained active throughout. 3. Since he maintained an active claim by continuously filing, there will be no waiting week. 4. Verify his union referral status is correctly showing in the system to avoid job search requirements. 5. Payment should process normally as long as there are no new issues with the claim. The key is that by continuously filing even during periods of work, you've maintained the claim's active status, which makes the transition back to receiving benefits seamless.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE YOU ON PURPOSE!!! They make it impossible to understand so you miss deadlines and they don't have to pay you. I had 5 different issues on my claim last year and every ESD person told me something different. They're trained to give you the runaround.

Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for hours! The agent explained that the system glitched because I had multiple issues being processed at once. The disqualification was for a job separation issue, but I can't see the appeal option because the decision letter was just sent yesterday and hasn't updated in the system yet. The other adjudications are for separate weeks where I had reported some part-time hours. She said to watch my mail for the determination letter, which will have appeal instructions. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!