Man, thanks. This company will not fold. Pretty hard core bunch. I worked for his brother at another place for five years. We go along fine. However, after 20 months at this new place, office politics got going and this brother wouldn’t put a stop to it. Hostile work environment. God will take care of us.... thanks.
My pleasure. Remember to be very specific when you ask for any and all documentation they may have. You have a legal right to every scrap.
Ask for copies of performance reviews if you got any. If they balk ask the hearing officer to compel them AND ask for a delay until they produce them.
Try to catch them being hesitant or uncooperative in any way. If you happen to catch them in any deception or falsehood ask the hearing officer to remind them that they are under oath and subject to charges of perjury. If it’s obvious ask the hearing officer to find in your favor right then and there.
Chances are he or she will. I caught a previous employer in a blatant lie once. I requested that a transcript be sent to the States Attoney office with a recommendation for prosecution. That got a chuckle out of the hearing officer. He gave them a choice. Approve the UC payments or deal with a prosecution.
Relax. Be confident but not cocky. Politely ask the hearing officer to explain your rights to you. He or she will. Politely ask for subpoenas to be issued if they don’t want to produce documents. It’s rarely done but they have the power to do so.
Most of all have a bit of fun. I know I did.
Best of luck to you. Please ping me if I can be of any further assistance.
L