Previous Employer Disputing My Unemployment Claim

Robes

I worked for a company that is based in Las Vegas and has a branch office in Chicago, near where I live. Last month, they closed the branch down and offered me a job in Las Vegas. I declined, and when I got laid off, I filed for unemployment in IL.

The company I work for is disputing my unemployment claim. They are saying that I didn't get laid off, and instead that I was "unavailable"(this is what the person at the unemployment office said) to work. This claim has put a hold on any my unemployment benefits.

I have a phone interview on Friday with the unemployment office to clear this up. I've never had to go through this before, and I'm nervous. Was wondering if anyone has advice on how to prepare for this, and what information I should have prepared for the interview. Alot of discussion I had with my employer was made through corporate email, which I no longer have access to.

Xaquin

Admittedly, I don't know the procedure, but I'd assume that the unemployment office would realize that most people can't just up and move halfway across the country.

Madpoet

If this is just an interview and not a trial, then I'd just tell them what you told us. It's not reasonable for the company to force you to relocate.
When I was in a similar situation, I wound up on the phone with a judge and my ex-boss. If this is one of those, I'd get a lawyer to do the talking for you. I lost my claim because I didn't know how to present my case, and wound up losing a lot more than the lawyer would have cost. (The one that contacted me wanted $500 for the whole thing, I don't know if this is standard.)

Nocren

If you have a letter, email or something as proof of the relocation offer and termination, have that ready.

Be prepared with names including coworkers and supervisors to verify your story.

wrong_button

Make sure you have your original hire date, date you were notified that the office was closing, date that you were offered the relocated job and anything that came with it (email message/offer letter/whatever), date that you responded (copy of response if you have it), actual date of separation/last day on the job.

Since you don't have access to documentation, try and recall as many specifics as you can. Who the person was, their title, etc. If you can write out a timeline for yourself, it might make it easier when you're talking it through to IDES.

Robes

Thanks all. Very helpful.

Siska

If it gets to the point of a hearing, over the phone or in person, where both you and a representative of you old company are present you're suppose to send copies of whatever proof you have to both the person in charge of your hearing and your former employer, beforehand. Also include a short statement regarding that you wanted to continue working for your old company but that was no longer an option and relocation was not possible for you.

Also keep things to the point in the hearing. You want to emphasize that you wish you were still able to work at that place. NOT ramble on about how unfair they are treating you.

DevoutlyApathetic

Siska has got it. If I were to add anything I would avoid bringing up any "oh and they also..." about anything. It isn't the place to talk about how they cut breaks or shorted you hours that one time or anything of the sort.

Robes

Nah I'm not going to make anything personal. My best interest right now is securing the income from unemployment and that's all I'm going to focus on for this interview. I was just very bewildered to receive the request, as I thought it was a dick move by them.

Reverend_Chaos

If you get denied, Appeal. Keep appealing.

Veevee

What Illinois sees is a possibility you turned down a valid and reasonable job offer, and as such that would make you ineligible to collect unemployment. I think it will all hinge on whether expecting you to move to Vegas from Chicago is considered reasonable, and considering states like to keep people rather than force them to leave I don't think you'll have a problem convincing them that it's not a reasonable expectation. I doubt this will go to a full hearing.

Good news is that you'll get all the payments you haven't received if they do find in your favor, but of course the bad news is that bills won't wait for the check.

This is also depending on if you told the full story here. If you sent an email or something saying you'd take the offer but later declined, I think that could hurt you here. Without something like that though you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Edit: depending on the sleeziness (and size) of the company in question, they could have left off the fact it was a move to a different state accidentally.

Robes

The matter is closed now, and they approved my unemployment. I haven't heard anything official but I noticed a pending deposit on my online banking from the unemployment office. So I'm pretty happy. Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. Appreciate it.