QUICK DO'S AND DON'T'S IN UI CLAIMS AND APPEALS

Before a claim arises:

If an employee is about to be fired, go through a termination checklist; at the very least, ensure that the employee has been given the benefit of whatever termination procedures are outlined in the company policies and in whatever warnings they may have received.
If an employee is quitting, do not have the person sign a boilerplate resignation form; have the person do their own letter, in their own handwriting if possible.
If an employee is quitting, do not let the person quit until and unless you are satisfied that the company has done everything appropriate to address any legitimate grievances they may have.

After a claim arises:

Respond on time to any claim notice, ruling, or appeal decision.
Be as specific as possible.
Be consistent in your responses, appeals, and testimony.
Avoid name-calling or gratuitous derogatory comments toward the claimant.
In discharge cases, avoid certain terminology such as "inability", "incompetence", "disloyal", "accumulation of things", "bad attitude", and "mutual agreement".
In discharge cases, try to show four main things:

a specific incident of misconduct close in time to the discharge;
that the claimant either knew or should have known that discharge could occur for the reason given;
that the employer followed whatever policies it has and whatever warnings were given; and
that the claimant was not singled out for discharge, but rather was treated the same as anyone else would have been under those circumstances.

In voluntary leaving cases, avoid references to how bad the ex-employee might have been, and concentrate on the fact that the claimant left while continued work was still available.
In voluntary leaving cases, avoid comments on how glad the company is that the claimant resigned. Instead, focus on how a reasonable employee otherwise interested in remaining employed would not have left for the reason given.
In all cases, have all your evidence and firsthand witnesses ready for the hearing.
Make your testimony brief, factual, and concise. Hearing officers like that!