So, what other explanation could there be for the frequently hostile nature of these proceedings?
The employer is mad at the employee.
Why?
Many reasons such as 1) the employee quit the job; 2) the employer believes the employee engaged in willful misconduct that led to termination; 3) the employer did not like the employee, and that is why the relationship ended; or, 4) the employee has the nerve to question the employer's wisdom by seeking unemployment benefits.
Why is this important to know?
Human nature is such that people who are angry and have an axe to grind will do whatever they can to hurt their enemy. It is shocking to say, but that means that sometimes angry employers will lie at Unemployment Hearings.
So? Can't I prove they are lying?
Not very easily - unless you have mastered the rules of evidence (and particularly those relating to hearsay) and fully understand what facts/lies are important. And, it is important to bear in mind that, while this is probably your first or second unemployment hearing, your former employer has probably been to many before.
Won't the Unemployment Referee help me?
Don't count on it. We appear in front of many of these Referees, and cannot say much about some of the things that we have seen them do (right in front of us). Many of them are fabulous, some are not. But very few of them protect an unrepresented Claimant at a hearing. That's what attorneys are for.
Not so fast. On appeals from a Referee's decision in Pennsylvania, the only things the Review Board considers is what was said and introduced into evidence at the Hearing. Even it it was all lies, and you can prove it, the Review Board will not consider ANY new evidence (except in the very rarest of circumstances).
Lesson?
Angry people lie, unrepresented people get hammered by the system sometimes, unemployment benefits are very important. Therefore, even if you are not going to hire an attorney to represent you at your Pennsylvania Unemployment Hearing, you should read up on hearing procedure and unemployment law as much as possible before you go into the Hearing. While learning the Rules of Evidence is an impossible task, try and learn as much as you can about the hearsay before you go in there.
More questions about Pennsylvania unemployment law and procedure? Click Here for our answers to your most FAQs.
HERE
ARE SOME OTHER LINKS YOU MAY FIND WORTHWHILE:
Should I Hire a Lawyer for
My Unemployment Appeal Hearing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Unemployment
Lawyer - Willful Misconduct Referee Hearings
Seven Things to Know About
The Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review
I Want to Quit My Job and
Get Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Unemployment
Determination of Financial Eligibility - PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT LAWYERS
The Burden of Proof in a
Pennsylvania Unemployment Appeal Referee Hearing
YOU CAN GET PARTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
IN PENNSYLVANIA IF YOUR EMPLOYER REDUCES YOUR HOURS OR MAKES YOU A PART-TIME
EMPLOYEE
Can I Get Unemployment In Pennsylvania If I
am Working a Part-Time Job? How Much Can I Earn in a Part-Time Job Without
Losing Unemployment Benefits?
What is My Base Year Under Pennsylvania's Unemployment Law?
HOW DO I COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR
PENNSYLVANIA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS - SOME KEY TIPS
SEVERANCE PAY, SETTLEMENTS AND PENNSYLVANIA'S
NEW UNEMPLOYMENT LAW
Philadelphia Are
Employment Attorneys Representing Employees
We are employment
lawyers who represents employees in Pennsylvania.
We typically represent
employees who need an employment lawyer in Philadelphia County, Chester
County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Berks County, Lancaster County and Montgomery
County.
Pennsylvania Employment
Attorneys Provides Free Telephone Consultations
If you are looking
for an employment lawyer, and live in Ardmore, Telford, Ambler,
Cheltenham, Ft. Washington, Lansdale, Blue Bell, Germantown, Chalfont, Plymouth
Meeting, Honeybrook, Pottstown, Boyertown, Drexel Hill, Trainer, Willow Grove,
Horsham, North Wales, Conshohocken, Glenside, Montgomeryville, Hatboro,
Harleysville, North Wales, Souderton, Jenkintown, Gilbertsville, Downingtown,
Lionville, Collegeville, Phoenixville, Northeast Philadelphia, Oaks,
Royersford, Springfield, Lower Providence, Malvern, Yeadon, Wayne, King of
Prussia, Downingtown, Upper Gwynedd, Wyncote, Glenside, Narberth, Doylestown,
Trappe, Radnor, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Wayne, Newtown Square, Exton, Center City
Philadelphia, West Chester, Skippack, Langhorne, Haverford, Newtown Square,
Nether Providence, Broomall, Drexel Hill, Reading or any of their
surrounding towns, feel free to send us an e-mail via our Contact Form or give us a call at 610-647-5027.
We are always glad to spend some time with people via a free
telephone consultation.
Thanks for checking in with us.