I've read a few complaints against the Georgia Department of Labor and the way they handle their appeals process in claiming benifits. Some were helpful and others seemed childish but overall the problems seemed consistent to the problems I'm having. I work in a utility field were slow times come around the end of the fiscal year and I was laid off. I had a few health issues and needed a quick out patient surgery but waited. I was given a call that myself and several others of my crew that I supervised were to be laid off. I wanted to schedule my surgery for this time for it was a perfect break. Four of my crew members filed for unemployment benifits filed immediately but I decided to wait to confirm that I would not be called back. After confirming this with my director I scheduled my surgery and proceeded to file for unemployment benifits. I was instantly denied! The decision was based on my employers response stating that I asked for a leave of abscence 35 days after I was layed off and my employees recieved their benifits. I filed for an appeals and forwarded all evidence to the review board via mail like instructed. On the day of the appeals hearing the appeals officer claimed that they never recieved any evidence (ie: surgery dates, documents and even a recorded phone conversation on voicemail from supervisor stating my lay off date). Thinking quickly I asked if I could fax yet another copy of documents to her within minutes to help in my case. She denied me the right. I then began quoting the rules and regulations outlined in the paperwork sent to me by the department of labor and was quickly interupted and told, " it is at my descretion to use any evidence for this hearing". Surprised I heard my employer laugh and at that point only did the officer begin record the proceedings. The employer gave their side, extremely false, and when asked my side I was again interupted and told that my evidence was not relevant. I then asked if I could call my witnesses. One of the witnesses being my immediate supervisor did not answer and ironically the employer rep in the hearing blurted out, " oh, he will not answer, I have him working on contract that will have him occupied". Ironic huh... Upon requesting to contact my second witness, a crew member recieving benifits, I was told that it was not allowed?! The entire hearing took 20 minutes and I had roughly five minutes to answer officers questions and give my side of the story. The employer seemed to spill out a novel in his 20 minute fairy tale. The kicker to all this is a few months prior one of my crew members was hurt and I witnessed the whole ordeal. I was instantly contacted by the company, five minutes after reporting the accident, and asked to give only information pertaining to the accident when asked and nothing more. The injured employee was denied workman's comp. But after seeking an attorney was lightly compensated a third of his weekly salary and recieved little to no medical attention. I was later told that if my employer filed one more comp. Claim they would be dropped by insurance company. I informed them that I would not lie for anyone and the problems began. False seperation notice, etc.in the hearing the employer stated that I was still employed and that not work was to be had by myself or my crew members. Since this all started I have mailed everything with a reciept of delivery however, they still claim that the have not recieved anything including my second request for an appeals. I did speak with a supervisor about the officer and all that happened and have recieved a heavy door slammed in my face at every turn. I'm still trying to find an attorney to help but with little luck. I've been filing my weekly claims since january of this year which comes out to be about $4000. I need help and plan on taking this to whatever court necassary. What to I pay in my weekly checks for unemployment insurance?! I've even been told by a supervisor from my local office that since day one my story has not changed once but my employer's story has changed three times. Anyone have any idea how I can get help from a government office that I fought for in military for several years. Is this how they treat people. I understand that they recieve false claims all the time but when an honest claim comes along they just write you off and tell you, " PROVE IT!".
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