ESD denied my claim due to 'quitting' after Amazon forced me into PIVOT during medical issues - appeal advice?

wow thats realy messed up. amazon is known for treating workers like garbage. my cousin went thru something similar but with a back injury. ESD loves to side with big companies. good luck fighing them!!

I successfully appealed an ESD decision last year when they initially denied me for a similar "voluntary quit" situation. Here's what helped me win: 1. Focus on proving your departure was for "good cause" - medical reasons can qualify if properly documented 2. Gather ALL communications showing you requested accommodations before leaving 3. Get a detailed letter from your doctor specifically stating why your medical condition made continued work impossible under the conditions Amazon provided 4. Document the PIVOT program and how it conflicted with your medical restrictions 5. Request a copy of your Amazon personnel file ASAP (you have a legal right to it) The key is showing you had no reasonable alternative but to leave. The burden of proof is on you, but medical necessity is one of the strongest cases for overturning a voluntary quit determination.

Not to be a downer but I went through appeal process and it was a NIGHTMARE. Waited 3 months for hearing then judge sided with employer anyway even with all my proof. Just prepare yourself that the system is rigged against workers!!

I used to work for ESD (not anymore thank goodness!) and can tell you that quitting for medical reasons CAN qualify you for benefits, but you need to prove two things: 1. That you had a genuine medical necessity (sounds like you have this covered) 2. That you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before quitting For #2, you need to show you requested reasonable accommodations and gave Amazon the chance to accommodate your medical needs. Did you formally request accommodation through HR? Do you have emails or other documentation showing these requests? The appeals judge will be looking for evidence that you tried to resolve the situation before leaving. Also, what exactly is this "PIVOT" program? If you can prove it was essentially a constructive dismissal (forcing you out), that strengthens your case significantly.

I tryed calling ESD for 2 weeks to explain my medical quit situation and NEVER got through!!!! Busy signals, disconnects, hold for hours then hung up on!!! How are we supposed to explain our side if we cant even TALK to a real person??? System is broken!!!!

When you file your appeal, make sure to request all the documents ESD used to make their determination. You have a right to see everything in your file! I've gone through 2 appeals (won both) and this was crucial. Sometimes Amazon will claim things that aren't true, and you need to see their statements to counter them effectively. Also, the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) has free resources on their website about how to prepare for unemployment appeals. Definitely check those out. You generally have 30 days from the date of the determination to file your appeal. One more thing - keep filing your weekly claims even though they show as disqualified! If you win your appeal, they can only pay you for weeks you've claimed.

For your appeal hearing, be extremely organized. I recommend creating a simple timeline document that shows: 1. When your medical issues began 2. Each time you requested accommodation (with dates) 3. Amazon's responses to each request 4. When you were placed in PIVOT 5. When you separated from employment 6. Any relevant medical appointments/procedures during this time The judge will appreciate a clear chronology, and it helps you tell your story coherently when you're nervous during the hearing. Also, practice explaining your case in 5 minutes or less - you need to be concise but complete. Would you mind sharing a bit more about what specific accommodations you requested? That might help us give more tailored advice.

Based on what you've shared, you have a potentially strong case for appeal. This sounds like a classic constructive dismissal situation where your employer made working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to quit. For your appeal, focus on: 1. The fact that Amazon initially agreed to accommodations then essentially revoked them by placing you in PIVOT 2. The incompatibility between your documented medical restrictions and the PIVOT requirements 3. Evidence showing the PIVOT metrics were unattainable given your medical condition Make sure to specifically use the phrase "constructive dismissal" in your appeal. This legal concept recognizes that employers sometimes force resignations rather than firing people outright. If you can prove the PIVOT program was used this way, you have a good chance of winning. I'd strongly recommend getting a free consultation with an employment attorney who handles unemployment cases. Many offer this at no cost, and even if you don't hire them, they can give you valuable guidance.

off topic but anyone else notcie that ESD decisions are taking WAY longer in 2025?? used to be like 2-3 weeks now everyon waiting 5+ weeks?? budget cuts or something???

I went through something very similar with a different employer after a knee injury. The key thing that helped me win my appeal was getting my doctor to write a very specific letter explaining not just my medical condition, but exactly why the job duties I was being asked to perform were medically contraindicated. Don't just get a generic "can't work" note - ask your doctor to specifically address the PIVOT program requirements and explain why those particular tasks/metrics were impossible given your post-surgical limitations. The more specific the medical documentation, the stronger your case. Also, document everything about your pain levels and how they affected your ability to work. I kept a daily pain journal that showed the correlation between my symptoms and work performance - this really helped demonstrate that my departure was medically necessary, not just a choice. You've got this! Medical necessity cases can be won with proper documentation. Focus on building that paper trail and don't give up.