Texas Workforce Commission

I was sent a letter saying that I needed to submit information to TWC concerning my benefits and to call to submit the information. I have called a lot of different numbers for TWC from claims to appeals, and no one can help me get in contact with a live person to take care of this matter. When I do talk to a live person, they give me a number to where an automated selection is, not directing to who I can talk to, so I can submit to them the information they requested from me. Or they transfer me to a number that is automated. In other words useless!

My benefits have been placed on hold, because this information has not been submitted. I need a real person to talk to please! I am ever so frustrated from hearing TWC's automated operator telling me that "Due to the volume of calls, your call cannot be processed at this time"! it also says to go online or try to call later. But trust me, you get that no matter when you call. Please put some real people answering phones to help us.

All you people who have posted on the board need to stop looking for handouts and work for what you get. What a bunch of lazy, can't do anything for themselves. You all should be working for what you get and not asking for everyone else to pay for your life. If you get fired then get another job! People like you are what are wrong with society. I bet you all make your parents proud!

I was fired on 8/10/2011 a few weeks after an incident where the dentist poke my finger with a dirty instrument (blood) on 7/19/2011. The next day after the incident, the CEO and HR of the company of Pasadena Health Center started to give me written ups after they realized that I was in contact with OSHA and Texas State Board dental to report the incident and other incidents that happened at the office. I won the case but the employer appealed and lost. They appealed again to the commission and I lost.

The CEO of the company sent information to the TWC saying that OSHA never found problems at the office which was not true because impose a fine for not complaint with OSHA regulations. Also the State Board is still investigating my complaint against the dentist for her implications in violations of the Code of Ethics. The TWC ignored also that OSHA is investigating the violation of the Company of Chapter XI, which means PHC fired me when the complaint with OSHA was filed. Now, I had to pay back to the employer account because TWC said that I was fired for misconduct.

I have been requesting benefits for unemployment effective June 12, 2011. I have never filed a new application for unemployment and have worked a seasonal job, the State Fair of Texas, several temporary assignments trying to regain employment. I worked for 6 days on a temporary assignment from Dec. 2 Dec. 9, 2011 and have filed my earnings to UI Support for money earned. UI support has changed my UI benefits within the month of Dec. 2011 3 times and I have not received a payment for unemployment since Nov. 28, 2011. I have been filing my claims and actively looking for employment every day.

I have not received money from my UI benefits and they are telling me that I filed for a new application. I have not even exhausted my first 6 months of funds. My bills are behind due to them not funding me my money that I have earned working for 29 years and putting in, so that in an event I become unemployed, I have benefits to carry my family until I retain employment status. This entire UI system is messed up and no one wants or will take the time to look into what people like me are going through. Please help!

I filed an unemployment claim on 8/19/11. I was approved for benefits two weeks later. The company appealed the ruling and requested a hearing on 11/3/11. I had only 14 days to appeal, yet the company had from August to November to file their appeal. Of course, they won the ruling. If the original hearing officer does not have the authority to approve benefits, they should not be given the authority.

My former employer hired me before doing a background check. I had been working there a little over a month when I was "red flagged" by security due to my criminal background report. It was determined that I could be cleared by security with a letter of warning. However, my employer did not follow protocol during the hiring process. As a result, she started a paper trail on me that would last three weeks up to my termination. The final document was an outright lie. I immediately called the HR department and was told that I would be contacted.

Meanwhile, I filed for unemployment. After a week, I still hadn't heard back from anyone in HR so I called them back and was told once again that I would be contacted. I was granted unemployment benefits from the state of Texas, where I lived and worked. After a few months, I received a letter in the mail stating that my former employer was appealing my case. I continued to receive benefits until the hearing. A few days after the hearing, I received another payment. The following week I received a letter in the mail stating that I was being denied benefits and the decision to grant benefits was being reversed in favor of my former employer. The letter said that the case was a wash, and it was a case of he said, she said. But my testimony "seemed deviant" so they ruled in favor of the employer.

It also stated that I may be required to repay the benefits I had already received if the Texas Workforce Commissioner decided that I had been overpaid by fault. I immediately filed an appeal. A few days later, I received a bill from the TWC in the amount of $2600 for over payment of benefits. A couple of weeks later, I received a letter stating that they had received my request for an appeal and that they would be determining whether I would be able to appeal on the date scheduled in the letter. That day came and went. About a week later, I received a letter stating that they were denying my appeal. In frustration, I filed another appeal and sent them the 12 pages of evidence against my former employer for a second time. I was once again denied.

I've tried to obtain a lawyer. But every attorney I've spoken to says that since I was an "at will" employee, it would be extremely difficult to win this case. I've also written to the media and to governor Rick Perry's office, but no one is doing anything about this. To summarize, my former employer failed to do her job. So in order to save herself, she filed false documents to my detriment. Now I am being forced to repay benefits because my former manager lied to save herself. When I went to HR to file a complaint, I was ignored. Consequently, I am stuck paying a bill for my service with their company. The employer has the burden of proving that I did what they say I did, but they did not.

November 15, 2011. I was denied benefits because Texas Workforce Commission stated that I was overpaid and that I was paid for benefits previously covered. They are truly corrupt. I appealed the decision and asked for any and all documentation pertaining as to who, why, and how they came to this determination. Somebody needs to get fired if they are making so many mistakes. I believe documents can be easily generated since they have access to their own computers. I guess they feel they can send any letter and state that you owe them. They can't be trusted any longer. Remember, they are a government entity with too much power which they gave to themselves. I'm awaiting an appeal hearing and I don't know how long that's going to take. I want proof from them.

I am extremely angry at the system's decision, about giving me unemployment. I served in the United States Army. I am a US veteran for 6 years, and 2 combat deployments under my belt, from which I honorably discharged on Sept 16, 2011. I came home to nothing, because the military messed up my paperwork, when I was deployed, and got my family evicted. So, I came home to no home at all! I am still homeless, and the only thing I had was my unemployment. I tried to work, but because of my P.T.S.D ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I found that I wasn't yet ready to be around large crowds. I flipped out in my cubicle. I could've gone straight to jail if I had stayed.

I talked to the management about what happened, and they told me to go ahead and seek help, and that they understood! So I quit, so I could make it to the appointments, at the VA Hospital, or places equivalent to seek help with my conditions (I have only been in America for 3 Months since then). I recently found out that After explaining this to the people, they still cut it off! What! PTSD is a real medical condition! I have a friend who had about 30 jobs in the last 2 years, because he never sought help after getting out of the military. I am trying to do the right thing, but the right thing seems to always render the wrong results. Please prove me wrong. I am on very thin ice here.

My wife has a job, but no way to get there, because my unemployment was helping keep up with everyday expenses. I have 4 children, of which the two boys live with me and my wife. I cannot pay for a babysitter anymore, to buy the time I need to get help. I have nothing else left. I am getting tired of people punishing me for trying to be a good citizen.

On September 22, 2011 I was indeed wrongfully terminated from Convergys corp; discharged for violating company policy that was never mentioned to me or communicated to me in any form or way. This policy was called fraternizing if I spelled it correctly. Later research indicates that this policy indicates that no high level staff can date any employees in influence of scope. When I was interviewed by a high level staff in HR (Ms. ***) I was told that there were two young ladies complaining that I dated them and socializing on a social networking site which I had no idea what they were talking about. I immediately denied allegations and I requested details. Although, high level HR representative denied my request since all details are confidential and laughed at me indicating that they had proof such as text messages from my phone and comments on a social networking site.

This interview took place in a small conference room with my manager and on-boarding supervisor with in my department of training on September 21, 2011 and it was for about 30 minutes. I later was sent back to continue my duties as a trainer. The following next day, two hours in my job, I get called into the same place to be told that the social networking site resulted not to be true, however, they were going to go by text messages that had came from my phone which I didn't have a clue what they were talking about to dismiss me. I again stated that I didn't have no clue what they were talking about and I politely ask for details because it was unfair being dismissed for allegations that are not true.

That's when Supervisor *** stated that it was because I had reported unprofessional/misconduct behavior on several employees and retaliated against me. HR representative interrupted the on-boarding supervisor so that no more information was able to get out. On-boarding supervisor *** was then asked to walk me to the exit location and on the way out to the exit door. Supervisor *** apologized for everything and that it was not his decision but Candace *** simply because she didn't like me. The following day, went to my relative's home which whom I lend my phone out. I then find disturbing text messages indicating I was going to be fired from one of the accusers. That's when I figured out what was going.

Former friends from the job site were upset that I almost caused someone's job due to bad behavior on a messenger from work and found out it was because I had reported. It didn't make no sense why I should have been discharged if I was doing my job. I immediately filed for unemployment benefits since I have a little 10 month old child to take care off. I had no idea I was going to receive a message notification on the unemployment website from Raymundo to contact him. I was waiting for some type of email or letter on the mail. So I called Telesev 800 number and I was told that since I didn't contact this individual my unemployment, benefits has been denied. I than logged online at the TWC payment request page to see what was going on. It stated that this gentleman tried to contact however that the attempt failed and therefore left a voice message.

One thing though my cell phone does not have voice mail capability. This concludes that this gentleman clearly didn't make attempt to contact and favored the employer with no evidence. I then appealed however had a rescheduled appeal hearing because former employer didn't send me their proof to be disputed in the hearing. I then received packet notice along with former employers evidence which includes an altered document indicating of such policy that was never communicated to me with my signature on a different sheet of paper. It is clearly that my former employer provided a falsified document in which they violated certain penalty acts and statues. I'm just in disbelief that such employees from the TWC work in such a manner and that such decisions affect someone's life. Well I have a hearing on December 5, 2011 in the morning and which I have provided policy documents that I have signed and contacted several witnesses as far the young ladies comment to be false. I am looking for assistance as well assistance for the forged document that was submitted from my former employers.

In April of 2010, I was terminated from my first job, for reasons that I know were for discrimination. At first I was denied unemployment, but after months later, I ended up proving my case during the appeals process. Also evidence came out during this hearing, which plainly suggested wrongful termination, but the TWC EEOC Division swept my case under the rug, and didn't even do anything, once the case was reviewed and accepted.

This is another story. So in June of 2011, I started working for Sonic Drive In in Fort Worth. I worked there for about 2 weeks. I was scheduled for only 3 days (Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday). On June 17th I was schedule to work, but the store manager sent me home, because she said it was slow. She also said that she had called and left me a message, telling me not to come, but that was a lie. I was a little upset because I did have to drive from Mesquite to the other side of Fort Worth. On Saturday morning, which was the 18th, I sprained my ankle at the gym. I called the store, and informed the person in charge that I would not be able to make it it to work that night, and to leave a message for the store manager to call me back. This was around 11:00. At around 8:00 PM, I called back, and talked directly with the store manager. I asked her if she had gotten my message, she said no, and said that she thought I had quit.

I explained to her that wasn't the case, and that I could return to work on my next usual day, which was Tuesday. So before I left to go to work on Tuesday, I called the store to make sure that I was still needed, because I didn't want to drive all the way to Fort Worth again, only to be turned around, like I was on Friday. The assistant manager told me that I was not even on the schedule anymore, so I asked her to have the store manager call me. A week went by, and I heard nothing, so I called again, the store manager was not there. I called again the next day, and I was told that the store manager was on vacation. I left messages both times.

Needless to say I never heard from this employer again. I was using Emergency Unemployment benefits at the time, and since I wasn't a full time employee, I was still reporting my wages and hours, while I was working. Around the first or second week in July, a message appeared on the TWC website, where I reported my wages to call a number because there were issues concerning my previous employer. I called and talked to a lady and I told her that I wasn't working because I wasn't on the schedule anymore, and the employer hadn't returned any of my calls. So my benefits were approved. Then I get another call from someone else. She didn't have any of my information written. She called and asked if my name was Jeffery **. I said no, and gave here my name, and social. She asked if I had filed for unemployment. I said yes, back in April of 2010, and that was the end of that conversation.

At the end of July I received my benefits check, and it stated that it was my last one, because I quit my job. So I had to appeal again. It says that you have to wait 6 weeks for a hearing. My first hearing wasn't schedule until October 11th, which was more than 10 weeks after the fact, and after I called to see what was going on. I called in on that date for my hearing, 30 minutes before like it stated. The lady took all of my information such as social and the number in which I could be reached for the hearing. She stated that my hearing officer would call at or around my scheduled hearing time. No one ever called me so I assumed that the employer didn't call in.

Two days later, the TWC website indicated that they affirmed the previous ruling. I immediately emailed everybody in the TWC office, and asked how could you render a decision, and I wasn't present. I asked if they were doing appeals hearings without the parties involved. The first response I got was that they tried contacting me several times, which was a lie, and that in order to get another hearing, I would have to appeal this decision, and show cause for another hearing. I emailed this person back and stated that I was not called at all about a hearing, so why would I have to prove anything. The next day I received an email from someone higher than this person and he stated that a continuation of jurisdiction had been issued, so I could get another chance at this hearing. So a month later, November 15th, I had another hearing scheduled. I called in as usual and the officer called me for my hearing. The employer, however, did not call in. So we proceeded with the hearing.

A few days later, I received a letter with the decision in it. The hearing was to cover three issues: whether I was entitled to EUC benefits, whether I was overpaid EUC benefits, and whether I qualified for a waiver of repayments for those benefits. So only one of the rulings was changed, which was the one in which, I am eligible to receive EUC benefits. But in order to still receive the benefits, I would have to repay the amount they claim I was overpaid, because it stated that I didn't do enough to protect my job.

This also would mean that since I have been working since August, that I am not able to receive my EUC benefits. The section under the fact finding didn't match up with what I had stated to the officer. The TWC is doing all it can not to have to pay people. All of them are crooked. I had phone records and everything to back up my story, and the employer didn't even bother to phone in. I did not quit my job, and if it was the employer making a claim against me, and I wouldn't have phoned in, then I'm sure they would have taken their side. It is all unfair. I had to relocate to Chicago.

In March of 2009, I underwent a double mastectomy to treat my stage 1 breast cancer. After taking less than 6 weeks off, I returned to my job. In Oct., my husband's sales territory in Lubbock, TX was eliminated and he was offered a job in Tyler TX (he had to take it or lose his job and our health benefits). I had worked for my employer in retail for 4 years and had been an excellent employee (the owners words at our hearing). The position was in retail sales and I did not have daycare on Saturdays for my 6 yr. old daughter because my husband had to leave immediately for his new job (I had surgery on Wed. he had to report his new job the following Monday). I tried to find a state certified day that offered Saturday care but there were none in Lubbock. I even sent a list to TWC.

I asked my supervisor if I could job share or work on Sundays ( a shorter day and less expensive to hire a private babysitter). Position was straight commission so I was the only one not benefiting by not working on Sat. but I was told they had never allowed anyone to skip Saturdays (I even offered to work one a month). I was forced to quit, told I no longer had a job. Filed with unemployment and was denied time and again even while citing a precedent that had been set in a previous case (the state says that if there is not adequate care for an underage child, the employer must amend the schedule). I still could have worked 40 hours a week without working Saturdays, but time and again I was denied unemployment because I quit for no reason.

Mr. *** even said he didn't fire me I was an excellent employee, but he also agreed that I was not allowed to work there if I didn't work on Saturdays. TWC kept denying my claims and finally I had 14 days to find legal representation and could not find anyone in Lubbock willing to take my case. I still feel very strongly that I was unfairly denied benefits. Later that year, when many of his employees had quit, Mr. *** called back one of his old employees to work "part time" even tho' he said he had never allowed parttime employees (and in fact he had in the past). He lied to TWC and TWC didn't care about any prior rulings, they were going to deny me benefits no matter what. It's all a sham. Employees pay into unemployment funds and never get to collect. The system is so rigged in favor of employers. It's a wonder anyone collects

I worked for a doctor in Webster. In December 2010, I was reprimanded for several items and had almost 2 weeks' pay withheld for taking too much time off (which was not true). In fact, none of the charges were true. I had worked for her for almost 6 years and as her Office Manager, I had turned her practice around dramatically. I was given several bonuses of $5000-$10000. The last couple of years, the doctor had changed. She is in her late 50s and married a young kid, about 22. She had problems with her ex-husband and was ordered by the court to take anger management classes.

Some of her personal decisions had a bad effect on the business. We had always got along real well, but she got mad at me over some small detail in the office. That was when she gave me the reprimand and docked my pay. I got mad and quit. After several months, I finally got my back pay with help from TWC. However, I have been denied unemployment because I quit my job. I have lost 2 appeals and I don't understand why. Should a person have to put up with this from an employer? I am very dissatisfied with the whole process.

Texas Workforce Commission is the most awful government entity on the face of Earth! I was wrongfully terminated by my former employer when I got sick and was under doctor's

care. Before my illness, I have complained about horrible working conditions such as having to work constant overtime, not having position description (working as Quality Control Coordinator), not being allowed to have any doctors appointments (I had to get permission from all management including MicroConsult president, Laboratory Director and Laboratory Manager), or in other words I had been forced to stay at work when I needed immediate medical attention.)

I have never seen my position description and after 9 months of my employment, I called U.S. Department of Labor asking what do I need to do. The lady on the phone responded that she is on duty and is not accepting stupid phone calls because this is impossible. When I reassured her that this is true, she said that in 20 years of her employment with US Department of Labor, she had never heard about employee not having his position description for 9 months of employment!

Once, I asked my employer to provide the position description and started a complaint about a misconduct that his relative was engaged in, they arranged meeting of three against one, and said they found some mistakes in the reports I have been reviewing. I decided to quit this horrible employment, but when excruciating pain hit my back, I went to the doctor and he excused me from work for the entire week. On the second day of my illness I was terminated, via e-mail!

All these issues had been documented and presented to Texas Workforce Commission along with the doctor's certificate. I have not been warned or reprimanded verbally or in writing, and since my employer did not have any documentation supporting his decision to terminate me, he just simply said that I said I have been falsifying reports!

Even though my employer never sent any evidence of any falsified or inaccurate reports, his words were taken for granted. My appeal with 85 pages of supporting documentation was simply ignored and I never had a chance to open my mouth and say what happened.

During three hearing sessions in six months period, I had not been given opportunity to present my testimony and none of my documents had been introduced into evidence. The Appeal Tribunal made the decision that was based on my employer's statements and decided that I am not eligible to receive UI Benefits.

I appealed the decision to the Commission; however my appeal with detailed analysis and supporting documents of 65 pages total was ignored by Texas Workforce Commission saying that they affirm Appeal Tribunal decision in all aspects. This was only sentence in the Commissions decision and I can only assume they did this on purpose just to keep money in house. Now both: the employer and the Commission can keep money in house, and to my opinion, all these proceedings were used to cover their unlawful decisions much like the fig leaf to cover the nudity. They use them in any way which is convenient to them and to the employer turning up and down and reversing like a sock just to keep employers' ** saved and to not pay the money for people who are in need to get them.

The hearing officer was dumb annoying arrogant and not able to understand things that every third grade kid would easily pick up. He was unbelievably rude when talking with me in cutting my answers halfway and treating me like a criminal prisoner, but he was so sweet with my employer and so helpful in telling my employer what to say, what to ask, advising him to submit termination letter (employer forgot to submit it to the commission) because they both: my employer and TWC had one goal: to prove I have committed misconduct! Everything was just a matter of how to ask the questions, as for example if you would asked, have you ever been told you have committed misconduct? They will push you hard until you say you have seen this in termination letter. Once you said this, they are considering this an evidence of misconduct.

I definitely think that TWC should be released off duty and that it is our fault they are still crashing people's lives and being paid salaries out of tax money. I would encourage everyone to report their misconduct to the appropriate government entity, which I believe is the U.S. Department of Labor.

This is disgusting, not to mention falsifying TWC records (when you see statements you never said in the hearing packet), which I believe is a criminal offense.

Texas Workforce Commission is the most awful government entity on the face of the Earth! I was wrongfully terminated by my former employer when I got sick and was under doctor's care. Before my illness, I have complaint about the horrible working conditions such as having to work constant overtime, not having position description (working as Quality Control Coordinator), not being allowed to have any doctor's appointments (I had to get permission from all management including Microconsult president, Laboratory Director and Laboratory Manager) or in other words, have been forced to stay at work when I needed immediate medical attention.

All these and other issues had been documented and presented to Texas Workforce Commission, along with the doctor's certificate. I have not ever been warned or reprimanded verbally or in writing and since the employer did not have any documentation supporting his decision to terminate me, he just simply said that I said I have been falsifying reports! Even though my employer never sent any evidence of any falsified or inaccurate reports, his word was taken for granted. My appeal with 85 pages of supporting documentation was simply ignored and I never had a chance to open my mouth and say what happened.

During three hearing sessions in six months period, I had not been given opportunity to present my testimony and none of my documents had been introduced into evidence. The Appeal Tribunal made the decision that was based on the employer's statements and decided that I am not eligible to receive UI Benefits. I appealed the decision to the Commission, however, my appeal with detailed analysis and supporting documents of 65 pages total was ignored by Texas Workforce Commission, saying that they affirm the Appeal Tribunal decision in all aspects.

They still ruled that I quit, therefore, they want me to pay back the money that I received during that time, when the temporary agencies did not have anything for me and stated, "We never talked to her." So I guess, all those timecards and paystubs I have from the agency means that I received payments from some unknown company.

When I filed for unemployment on June 14, 2011, there was a company named Harper Services on my work history. I told TWC that I have never worked for that company nor have I even heard of that company name. She said that she took it off and she quoted my benefit amount if I qualify. On June 17th, I received a statement of benefits that still stated Harper Services as an ex-employer. I called TWC several times and finally received a phone call from Esperanza ** on June 23. She said that she was investigating the case to make sure I qualify. She asked about Harper Services three times during the conversation. All three times she was told I don't know this company and I've never worked for this company. She said that she would take the company off my record. On June 25th, TWC mailed me a determination of payment, in which the decision was they would pay me benefits. And it also states that Outreach Health Services is my employer, which is correct. Not once was Harper Services mentioned on this statement.

On August 1st, I finally received my benefits. On August 12th, I received a statement that they didn't take off Harper Services and they overpaid me because of Mrs. **'s mistake of not taking Harper Service off. I should not be accountable for a mistake that was made by TWC.

I was disqualified because TWC said I quit my temp assignment that was completed on June 23, 2011. The agency did not have another assignment. I am still eligible to work for the temp agency. It's just that they don't have anything for me and since you cannot turn down a job offer, I took another assignment with another agency. I have already written an appeal letter.

Does Texas Workforce Commission understand what temporary works mean? I contacted Texas Workforce Commission on May 4, 2011, before going to work temporary, and asked if it was okay for me to work temp assignments as long as I filed my weekly wages. The answer was yes. Then I was informed that this would not interfere with my unemployment benefits. Well, it has.

I never quit my job; my job assignment that began May 9, 2011 was ended on June 23, 2011. I worked 10-hour days from Monday to Thursday with Fridays off.

I contacted the agency on June 23, 2011, before the end of day, to let them know the assignment had ended and to see if they had another assignment. I was informed "not at that time, but to check back Monday". She also asked me if there was any chance that the contracting company would be renewing RPC's contract. I informed her that I did not know.

I contacted the agency again on June 27, 2011, to see if they had another assignment and I was informed "no, but give us a call back next week". When I first became unemployed on April 29, 2011, I contacted several temporary agencies. You just don't sign up with one agency if you are serious about working.

On July 5, 2011, another temporary agency contacted me and asked if I was available for work for an assignment that would start July 11, 2011. I accepted the job offer. If I had turn down the new temp assignment then according to TWC I would have been in default of my existing benefits.

There is no documentation at the agency that I quit or refused any job assignments during the week of June 27, 2011 to July 1, 2011. I filed my claim on July 10, 2011 and I followed TWC rules and guidelines.

If I had quit my job with the temp agency, which is what Texas Workforce Commission has stated, why am I still eligible to work for this agency as a temporary employee? I spoke with the agency on August 5, 2011, and nowhere on my file (job record) does it indicate that I quit.

He did state that the paperwork submitted to TWC was done incorrectly because they assumed I was trying to draw unemployment benefits. I informed him that I was already drawing unemployment benefits from my last employer and that I had been filing my weekly wages with TWC since my first filing day back in May. He also asked me, "Was I able to find another assignment since my last assignment ended?" I informed him that I started another assignment on July 11, 2011.

He apologized and said he would research this situation more because he was not the one who completed the paperwork to TWC. I informed him that I would be appealing the decision.

My employment benefits are not from the temp agency. My unemployment benefits are from a previous employer, where I was laid off from my job on April 29, 2011. According to TWC's "How Temporary Work Affects Your Unemployment", I followed TWC guidelines.

Temporary work is just what is says, temporary work. When an assignment ends and the agency does not have another assignment for you, what are you supposed to do? Keep waiting and turn down a job offer? It appears to me that TWC is a one -sided organization who will always look for ways to accuse honest individuals who are drawing unemployment benefits of lying, cheating, or quitting. I believe in working to take care of myself and I don't like relying on the State to do anything for me. It just amazes me how TWC will only go after honest individuals but the ones who don't bother to look for any type of employment and lie about job searches are the ones TWC never bothers.

I was fired from my position at my family business, which I was a partner in. I initially won my first unemployment hearing, but after the final appeal, it was determined that I had quit my job. I had emails stating they were sorry about my unfortunate termination as well as many other facts (documented under oath) that they had perjured their statements, thus, having TWC overturn the initial ruling. TWC failed to look at any of these documents, only taking statements from people who were not even qualified as witnesses under the TWC guidelines.

It was clear my employer had "mocked up" my employee file (again, documented under oath). I had no recourse as TWC stated time had run out to file the final appeal. I clearly did not have the funds to combat the TWC and had no recourse but to accept the ruling.

On February 03, 2011, I received a phone call from Unemployment Investigator Hector **. Mr. ** wanted me to defend my position as to why I felt my employer terminated me due to a 'no-fault' vehicle accident, that way my unemployment benefits would be paid to me. I immediately faxed him a letter from the witness to the accident that happened on 12/02/2010. On February 04, 2011 Investigator ** CHANGED the ruling to the decision of "at fault" made by my former employer, to " failure to perform to employer satisfaction." By doing this, no unemployment benefits would be paid to me.,

I have copies of all documents showing this. I then appealed the decision to Hearing Officer Charlene ** of the Austin Appeals Tribunal, concerning the forged signatures within documents of my personnel file, but Hearing Officer Charlene ** paid no attention to the fraudulent signing of the documents in my personnel file, and ruled in favor of my former employer.

I was fired from my job. The owner of the company told me that I had quit but I had not quit. I applied for unemployment and won my initial claim hearing. Three months later, the owner appealed the decision and got two other employees of his to lie and say that I had quit. He won the appeal because of this. The Texas Workforce Commission was incompetent to handle the responsibility that had been laid before them. It was incredibly sloppy. They don't realize that they are dealing with people's lives! The owner discredited his own story and that of the two other employees during the hearing by blatantly stating something opposite of his prior statements multiple times and they were not able to determine that he was lying.

When they sent the determination packet to my house, it had the summary of the trial included. The people got names wrong and information was severely askew. They twisted my words around to make it sound like I had said something I did not say. They just put down their own version of the story. They didn't even get my gender correct! They kept referring to me as "she"! Are these people who cannot comprehend information really competent to be the sole mediator in these issues? Do they understand they're dealing with the livelihood of people? I have never been so insulted or felt like less of a human being.

I have been fighting with the Texas Workforce Commission since June of 2010, because I quit my last employment of 5 years to relocate to Illinois to help with the care of my 83-year-old mother since the death of my father. I stated it was not a work-related reason. Now can I ask you and any of them if the shoe was on a different foot, would you not drop everything to do what I needed to do? I worked for a very unfriendly and unsanitary place with the 4-letter word rhyming with truck spoken within the first 30 minutes of my first day of employment here in Illinois for the 6-week required period which I could not refuse because of the aforementioned appeal. Driving 90 miles a day for $10.00 an hour with gas prices being as what they are. Now I received a notification stating that I quit my job because of the work conditions. I was told to leave and file unemployment by the president of the company, job was falsely advertised. I was lied to by this so-called employer.

I have been in debt and about to lose my vehicle, my credit is ruined and will not be able to get back into my field of work because they run credit reports, and can't get my prescription filled for seizures. The unemployment rate here is 10% and with no avail of approximately 100 job applications and resumes being sent out.

I was receiving unemployment benefits when I took an "as needed job", which started December 1, 2010. I worked one day that week and one day the following week. The next two weeks, I did not work because there was no request from the employer. When I made a payment request on December 26, the computer put it on hold (due to no work claimed). When I spoke with someone at Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and explained that I still worked for this company, but they did not use me the last two weeks, I made a foolish mistake of talking freely with her about the hours I worked, and having to take a cab back to where I reside and the expense of it. She asked if I still worked there, and I said, "Yes, I am still employed there." She then stated she has to send a letter to the employer. I told her I had no problem with that. She also stated she would release the funds that day, and I would receive it within two to three business days. No funds were made three days later (Thursday). When I called TWC back and I spoke with another person, they said it was still on hold. They are waiting for the reply from the employer, who had replied on the 11th of January 2011.

They did receive a response from the employer on the 11th, which indicated that I was not on laid off; meaning, I still worked for them. We began to discuss the transportation issue of the cab. I once again informed them that I still worked for this company (Corpus Christi Nursing and Rehab), and the cab issue was only about how much it cost, and I still worked for the employer. Later that day, I noticed on the TWC website that I was disqualified for benefits because I quit from my job. That was a lie. When I called them back on December 31, 2010 thinking they received something back from the employer, I was informed I was disqualified base on my statements only, and the employer had not responded yet. I was shocked! I never told anyone on any phone conversation that I quit on the job. In fact, I still worked there.

I did some research on Texas law, and I found the Texas Labor Code, section 208.023, regarding a request for redetermination. The law provides that the re-determination is the appeal. When I looked at the law (through the Internet), this is how it was worded, "A claimant within 14 days after the date the commission mailed notice of the commission's determination to the claimant under section 208.022, may request a redetermination of, or may appeal the commission's determination of the validity of an initial claim in the manner provided by chapter 212." I see that these are two different things--the appeal and the redetermination. What I was told over the phone was there was no re-determination.

I am now facing homelessness, and I am going to a shelter. I have no funds now to seek employment out of my current city, and I have already set up two interviews in other towns that I will now have to cancel due to the lies of the TWC and them falsifying my statements I gave over the phone. Due to being hard of hearing, I often times record conversations to play back later to make sure I understood them. I did record the conversations, but erased them not thinking this was going to be a problem, now I wish I hadn't What else can I do beside the appeal? Is it legal for TWC to falsify my statements?

I am not quite sure what their problem is. I left a job at a bad time in August 2008 and I was approved for benefits. I promptly found a part time position that didn't pay nearly as well but kept me busy while I searched for full time work. Because of the pay and hours however, I was still able to collect unemployment benefits. In August 2009, I renewed my application for benefits and was approved with no problem. In June 2010, when Congress did not act to extend benefits, I fell behind on my rent and I got evicted from my apartment. During this process, I had talked with my manager and together we determined that it would be best for me to resign and look for work elsewhere that would pay my bills.

I resigned at the end of June and moved to Oregon to help out a friend. I thought that once Congress approved the benefits again, I would be able to have enough to complete my move to Seattle where I had spoken with several agencies who told me that they had plenty of jobs that I would qualify for, once I got there. Well, when benefits were finally restored, I got a payment for those weeks, and then I got a letter saying that I needed to re-qualify. I went through that and my application was denied. I waited several weeks and then TWC called me to apply for benefits under my last employer. We did all that on the phone and the person taking my information said that there should be no problem.

I got a call a few days later from an investigator who asked why I had left. I told him that I was being evicted and had no other place to go. He had the gall to say that I should have moved into a homeless shelter. When I got my determination, I was denied benefits. I had to send in three appeal requests before one was finally acknowledged. I had my hearing and told the officer that I left because I was being evicted, attached are copies of the legal notices, and that I had contacted both my manager and some agencies up here that said they had jobs. My hearing was on the 1st of December and I got my determination today, December 9, again, denied.

Was I supposed to live on the streets with my kids? As it is, the kids are still in Texas and I am up here in Oregon still looking for work. I tried contacting the Senators and Representative from my district, only to get canned e-mail responses from one senator, no response from the other and I am unable to contact the representative, as his site isn't working properly! You know, if they would just send me that money, I would be out of their hair. With the money in hand, I can finish my move to Seattle and be working so they would not have to pay anymore benefits! Don't they get this?

I am a highly qualified African American with years of work experience (teaching/retail management and entrepreneurial experience), and a four year college degree. I keep my TWC records updated, yet they keep placing job leads that makes me look low skilled with no education. I do not have any disabilities, but the jobs they place in my job bank, makes me look as if I do. After my last experience, I am afraid to even use TWC job leads. I'm not retarded, and neither do I have any disabilities. I am afraid to even respond to their jobs, because I don't know who they are sending me to. Even after, starting my own business, launching it this year before the public eye, TWC still ignores all of my qualifications. To me it's discrimination.

Why can't they forward a suitable job lead to me? I have utilized the proper key words, they teach you that in job seeking, job training seminars. And by the way, who says I can't continue to grow my own business while still working for an employer, as long as it does not affect my performance with the other employer? My business can be my part-time job. One, while someone at TWC had pulled me from the job bank, reasoning that I had my own business. Well, just because you are trying to grow your business, does not mean the business is profitable or self-sufficient yet. My business was and still is not in a position to support me, my child, or itself (with capital gains). I am still taking a loss.

However, for me to understand the various functions in a business should tell TWC, that I am not just a telemarketer. I have even attended graduate classes here in Texas. It can be quite frustrating, when you are trying to support your household. You try supporting your household with minimal wages, and working these part-time jobs. If I could find a decent job, then I can do better, and my business can do better. Most of your job force is supported by people trying to run a small business. If mine could get out of the starting stage, maybe I could help TWC provide jobs for other people. Think about it. Stop trying to keep me down, and allow a person to grow and progress, so that we all can take a bite out of the 9.6% unemployment rate.

I have been deprived of life, trying to live down here in Texas. I am ready to move to another state, considering how I have been treated. Constantly unemployed, underemployed, and now unable to even provide finances to grow something that can help generate jobs for others. I see why you say, "don't mess with Texas", because Texas can be so messy with other people's lives.

I am upset because while I have been looking for jobs for over 2 years here, a few times I have had employers call me on my cell phone, which I keep on vibrate. However, the staff has asked that I not talk on my phone while in the office, yet they can talk on their phones and have the ringers on. How is this fair?

I was employed with a healthcare company for 15 years. I am currently still unemployed now over two years. Through the Obama Stimulus package, I was allowed a couple extensions after my benefits had exhausted. I worked for what I was told similar to a day labor job delivering phone books for less than one day. Due to the physical demands of unpacking and re-bagging then delivering and completed my SUV load over 250 white and yellow pages in 6 1/2 hrs. However I was not able to continue my 2nd and final load the following day due to muscle spasms. After a brief conversation with the company clerk, I was told my check would be mailed (which resulted in a payment of $46.31) and I was out the door.

Now the horror begins! Following the rules of TWC, I reported the less than 8 hours worked and my claims from January-June 2010 were placed on hold. Per TWC the company had reported I quit thereby no further benefits were being allowed! I was advised of my appeal rights and continue to file once a ruling was determined. My first appeal was denied and I requested a hearing (2nd appeal) which took over 3 months as I was told my assigned agent was not available on my hearing date and it needed to be rescheduled! All the while I had no finances to sustain my daily living.

The hearing was eventually held and I was to receive a decision by mail of which no letter was ever received however all withheld benefit payments from January-June 2010 were released and I assume this was their decision. I was wrong! I received a letter dated August 24th, requesting an overpayment for the released payment from January-June stating benefits were paid in error! I have worked only two other temporary jobs since the phone book delivery company and now all my current benefits are now being recouped for the over payments. I have followed and adhered to all the guidelines TWC requires. and for them to automatically take back the only means of finances I have that was ruled in my favor according to their actions by releasing benefits payments after the hearing was completed is an profound injustice over $46.31 and should not be allowed by any agency. How can I win against a government agency? I am in serious need of assistance.

I would like an appeal against Texas Workforce Commission. They trying to pay money back that I was eligible for payment.

A store manager of ours was terminated for the following: marking prices down in the computer system below listed price, undercharging customers for mechanical work (based on amount charged by mechanic on invoice), forging shop employee's signatures on completed work order tickets, falsifying mileage on customer vehicles; stealing postage from the company postage meter for personal mailing purposes, stealing money from the petty cash bag for personal cokes/snacks, excessive use of personal cell phone/text messaging; using company internet for personal use on company time, ordering and installing parts on personal vehicle that were paid for by our business without getting authorization; inability to maintain shop inventory and manage employee hours, making derogatory comments about our business, shop procedures and management to other employees and customers; and turning away customers before the shop closed because the job may take longer and he did not want to stay past the closing time. We take all customers up until closing time, regardless of the job length required.

When I was denied unemployment benefits, I received a notice stating that I did not respond in a timely manner and the claim was being paid. This is incorrect. Not only did I speak to a representative, I also faxed them all requested information. I appealed this once again and a phone hearing was set. I later received a letter stating that the standing remains the same and the employee will still be receiving benefits.

After carefully reading this report written by TWC, I noticed several discrepancies. In several paragraphs, it references that there was a four month gap from the time of employee's last precipitating incident and employee's termination date. This statement is untrue. From the final notice meeting held December 7th, 2009 until the date employee's job was posted for replacement on January 15th, 2010, there was only a one month gap. Since we are not a large company with multiple employees, and only have two men on our sales team, it was imperative that the employee's position was replaced before he was terminated. A replacement was found on February 19, 2010, the same day the employee was terminated, once again leaving only a one month gap. This totals only 2 months in total from the time the employee was placed on probation and the day he was terminated.

Another paragraph stated that the act of misconduct on the claimant's part was shown three months prior to the claimant's discharge, which is also an incorrect statement. The samples send into TWC were all dated in the month of January 2010, some of which dated January 28, 2010, which is only a little over two weeks prior to the claimant's discharge. I only sent in very few samples because I did not feel it necessary to send hundreds of samples proving the same thing. I have samples that dates all the way up to the date of termination if needed.

Under section 201.012, it states the act's definitions of misconduct. The employee's actions were classified as an unconscionable act of an employee or supervisor. This is also incorrect. I am certain that the forgery, theft of goods and failure to comply with company procedures would fall under intentional wrongdoing or malfeasance, intentional violation of law or violation of a policy or rule adopted to ensure the orderly work. All of these things listed above were admitted by the employee on the phone hearing held on April 27, 2010. The TWC does not agree with the fact that forgery or theft is a direct violation of the Texas law.

I contacted TWC to see where I could submit the video monitor systems and recording tapes as proof and evidence of such misconduct. I was told that the TWC will not review nor will they accept such tapes. This comes as a great surprise to me since the tape would show 100% fault of work-related misconduct. The employee has openly admitted of his intent to intentionally get "let go" in order to work with his brother at a business, which employee is an investor of and has been receiving monthly income from for several years now for "cash" so he could still receive unemployment benefits and his pregnant wife would then qualify for Medicaid benefits.

I am appalled at the way the TWC conducts their investigations and gathers their information. TWC allows claimants to intentionally break the law and company policy with the intention to get fired so that they can unlawfully receive unemployment benefits, Medicaid Benefits and work for "cash" while evading the IRS on their responsibility to pay income tax. If TWC would have reviewed my tape as evidence, there would be no question as to why the employee was terminated. If TWC would audit employee's bank statements, they would also see that he has been receiving income from Horsepower Engineering in which he is not claiming as income. The employee just purchased a brand new 2010 Ford F-150 extended cab truck 3 weeks ago. If TWC would investigate that and figure out how financing was obtained to an individual on an unemployment salary with a pregnant, non-working spouse and two other children.

I do realize that TWC has several cases and it would be impossible to review each one on case by case bases. However, with violation of law that the former employee has admitted to doing as well as the blatant disregard to follow company guidelines and procedures also admitted, I do not see how the TWC could justify this to being anything less than work misconduct.

I was granted unemployment benefits after being fired from my former employer on February 24, 2010. Weeks later, I received a letter stating I was disqualified from the benefits due to employer's contesting that I was fired for misconduct. So, I appealed the decision. Texas Workforce stated they made several attempts to reach me and left a voice mail stating if I didn't reach them.

I did not receive such a voice mail, but during the times they said they made this call, I did receive numerous hung-ups, when I answered my home phone (Not to mention, I requested they call me on my cell phone due to job hunting). So since I couldn't be reached, they made a decision to uphold denying me benefits--a finding towards the employer.

The employer didn't inform me as to why I was being terminated; I never received any type of corrective action since my tenure (which is close to 3 years) with the company (Sprint). Not to mention, I was interviewed for a position in management the day before.

When I received my hearing packet and noticed documents that couldn't be deciphered, my former employer did not cooperate in providing crucial information from my employee file (such as employee evaluations, clock times, employee trainings, and any corrective actions taken since my employment with the company). I was told that such would be passed on to their legal department, and it could take up to five business days.

Once I finished the conversation with the former employer, I called the assigned TWC H.O. (Mrs. **) once again to ask to reschedule and that the former employer is not cooperating again and if they could be subpoenaed for the documents. I received no return call. It stated:

"Your tribunal hearing -- Information & Instructions --- Schedule conflicts/Hearing postponements are not ordinarily granted. However, If you have a justifiable conflict, notify the hearing officer as soon as possible before your hearing. If you don't, a later request to open your hearing may be denied."

I called Mrs. ** on seven different occasions about the matters above and received not one call prior to the hearing date, May 17, 2010. I did receive a call from Mrs. ** on the 27th of May 2010, telling me only to appeal the decision once again. Now, I once again appealed under Commission Rule 16, 40 TAC 815.16 Good Cause to Reopen. This is the Letter to TWC:

"Please accept this correspondence as a request for a new hearing in regards to the determination letter dated 18-May-2010. lf taken into consideration, Under the Labor Code Sec. 212.102, due to new evidence that's most critical, request of information from my prior employer, such (I was informed on 13-May-2010) is only available from their Legal Department, and no communication from the appointed hearing officer Mrs. **.

"The lack of communication occurred after receiving the initial letter dated 4-May-2010. The supporting documentation provided by my past employer (Sprint) was illegible and difficult to decipher. I attempted to contact Mrs. ** several times in regards to this on the following dates: 7-May-2010, 12-May-2010, 13-May-2010, and 19-May-2010. These calls were not returned. Ms. M. did not respond until the morning of 27-MAY-2010.

"After my phone calls were not returned, I contacted Sprint 12-May-2010 and followed up again on 13-may-2010. Requesting the legible copies of their supporting documentation, I was informed that this information could not be provided until 19-May-2010 due to the process of their Legal Department. As a result, it was under that Sprints' Legal Department.

"I was also in contact with TWC to inform them of the date this new information will be provided as supporting documentation, which was days after my original hearing date. So again, I called Mrs. ** and received her voice mail. I left a message to please return my call. I was present, called the hearing number in ample time on the day, 19-may -2010, which was the date Sprint's Legal Dept. was releasing this information.

"I was informed I'd receive a callback to begin the hearing. 45 minutes or 1 hour had elapsed, but there's no callback. I decided to call back to make sure there was no problem. After providing my Information, the TWC representative informed me that the hearing was two days prior. A day later, I received a determination from the TWC.

5) No communication from the hearing officer after numerous calls and voice messages asking for time to receive the new evidence, gathering witnesses and testimonials from customers with firsthand knowledge in reference to the allegations, and some clarification to certain issues.

"If the claimant receives documents from TWC that aren't legible or can't be deciphered by the claimant, is there a number to call so you can receive these documents so they are legible or for some clarification? If there's new evidence that's critical to the claimant's case that the employer can only access, is there a point of contact that can be reached, or if at all possible, to leave a message to be contacted to answer or give clarity prior to the hearing date?

"I performed my duties to the best of my ability for close to three years, and during that time, I only received praise from my managers, leaders, customers, as well as my peers. I'm confident with this new existing evidence: testimonials from managers and employee evaluations which showed nothing less than integrity, loyalty, commitment, and dedication to the company; and co-workers who were present and key customer witnesses to testify on behalf of these frivolous, demeaning, and slanderous charges brought against me due to retaliation for reporting potential wrongdoings that I brought to my store manager only to be fired in the process months later.

"This is why it is only fair to reopen this case. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter."

After this, I received another hearing officer (Mr. **) with whom the hearing was set for the 1st of July 2010. At the hearing, I was told Mr. ** testified that "I'm not doubting you made the calls to Mrs. ** prior to the hearing." During that hearing, he also requested the information I had asked Mrs. ** and my former employer which they informed him they didn't have.

Mr. ** stated that he would give them time to produce this information and have a continuous of this hearing. But he didn't do a continuous. He provided by mail a packet; it showed the former employer's address. It also showed that the packet was sent in copies to the district manager's home address who fired me. In addition to that, it showed a Page 3C of the issues in the hearing which stated "Notice of resetting. A timely request for a new hearing has been made under the provision of Rule 16 of the Texas Workforce Commission."

Once again, a hearing date was established for the 21st of July 2010. On this day, the former employer did not show nor did they provide Mr. ** with the documents he requested. Even so, Mr. ** proceeded with the hearing without the former employer. After that, he notified me the decision would be mailed to my address.

When I received the decision which it was found that I didn't have an emergency on the hearing, therefore the claim to reopen is denied. So, proving that the former employer did fire unjustly means nothing. For you to have called your appointed hearing officer well over seven times to notify as soon as possible before your hearing of conflicts with your former employer of this new evidence. That fact that on July 21 would mark the 6th month the former employer has refused to prove this new evidence. And the fact that it marks the 6th month that the Texas Workforce Commission has not assisted/subpoenaed/answered a simple phone call or voice mail message to be notified of the new evidence that you inform us to do.

Now that makes the 4th time that Case #1289522 Claimant and Employer: Sprint-United Co. has been sent not to the former employer HR or Legal Department, but to a private home. It marked twice that Sheila ** denied hearing officer Mr. ** of TWC any information of the claimant's employment, evaluation, any corrective action documents, and/or any training on the matters in question.

Employer has denied Texas Workforce Commission of this new evidence, denied documents that they cannot provide from a private address. Knowing if its former employer (corporation) had knowledge of someone other than its Legal Department. Instead, the Texas Workforce Commission hearing officer told me when I reached him that he could not talk to me about the case and ended his call.

Then on the day of the appeal's hearing, I informed Mr. ** of my witnesses who will prove that the SPRINT-UNITED Documents you were sending to a personal address is not where their corporate office is located. But once again, the hearing officer said he was not disputing my witnesses testimony and there would be no need for my witnesses' testimony.

If this is an appeal hearing between I (claimant) and my former employer which has an Human Resources and Legal Dept. that handle theses issues, why is this information being sent to this person's home address? My life has been turned upside down. My house is in foreclosure after months ago dueing a home modification for the 2nd and last time.

I've been suffering with depression again. My family and I have gone days at a time without water, because of the financial strain, And food has been scarce for the last three months. You see, I'm raising three teenagers, married, and raising my newborn granddaughter.

I was terminated from my job on December 1, 2009, because my employer said that I didn't like my job, which was not true. There was no evidence of work-related misconduct, neglect, or mismanagement on my position. I am still fighting for unemployment benefits. TWC doesn't care how many stories my employer told. I was never reprimanded either verbally or in writing the entire time of my employment.

At first, my employer said I wasn't an employee. I had to prove, through 2 appeal hearings that I was. Then my employer maintained through all of the fact-finding interviews and the first hearing that I quit without notice. I proved otherwise with witnesses at the 3rd appeal hearing. Now, TWC says that I was fired. Obviously, if I didn't quit, I was fired, for just cause, correct? I have been fighting for 7 months, and even though my employer has been proved a liar about 2 separate issues, TWC sides with them. It is more than frustrating! I lost my income, can't get unemployment and have yet to find another job. The economic hardship is as much as a person might expect.

My ex-employer did not pay my commissions and overtime and on top of that, over charged my last paycheck. The Texas Workforce Commission ignored the documents that supported my case so, I wrote to my representative, and I recommended that if someone had problems with Texas Workforce Commission, to do the same; look up on the internet who is their representative and fill in the online complain. After I contacted my representative, I heard from both, the representative and TWC.

My ex-employer made a fake document about my commission showing a date that I was no longer with the company. I was fired on May and the document that my ex-employer provided to TWC was dated June. TWC accepted that as proof to deny my commission, and completely ignored the copy of the invoices provided by me.

Texas Workforce Commission is working in favor of the employers ignoring the documents and facts presented by the employees. Because of that, we have seen more and more employers being unethical, dishonest, and providing false evidences. Contacting the state representative and senator will show those authorities how bad, rude and inefficient Texas Workforce Commission has been acting against the taxpayers. Texas Workforce Commission denied my wage claim.

I appealed the decision which took them months to do.
It was in January when I finally received the telephone hearing.

I reviewed copies given by the ex-employer of their statements ahead of time. The manager stated that I was a no-show for work on Saturday and that was the reason she fired me. We were not scheduled to work Saturday. Not only that, the owner had written other dates in which were also as no shows. All of these were untrue statements. Especially the date when I started, I filled out an application and other paperwork on that day and did not begin working until the next day.

I am very disappointed with the way it all was handled.

During that time, when benefits were withheld, I couldn't pay my car Insurance and did not drive my car. I had some job offers at that time but was unable to accept them because of my situation. Fell behind on some other bills as well. I felt victimized by the ex-employers and also by Texas Workforce Commission. Aren't they suppose to help us? There is definitely a lot wrong with this system because our rights have been violated.

Was awarded benefits by initial investigation. Employer appealed the decision and the decision was overturned. The appeal officer and my previous employer were working together and against myself. My former employer called the hearing officer by his first name several times and the hearing officer used language and asked the same exact questions that my former employer asked behind closed doors.

He also denied my objection on several summaries the employer provided even after I explained that I had the conversations on tape. I was fired for violating email policy 2 weeks after the department director called a meeting and admitted EVERYONE is violating the policy and that starting from that day forward they would begin implementing/enforcing the policy. This was on 2/2/10.

They terminated me for an email that ocurred on January 13th 2010. I was terminated on 2/9/10. I believe the hearing officer was wrong for making up his mind before the hearing started. The first part of the hearing ocurred in April and had to be continued until June. Now I am going to pay back $7000 because of this hearing officer? No misconduct or wrong doing was done after the warning of the policy. When my employer initially reported for appeal they claimed I quit, which is a lie because I was terminated. So starting off with a lie, they still won the appeal? Also, 2 other employees were written up for the exact violation of policy and told that their violations didnt warrant termination. Help. I also have an EEOC claim filed against the employer and they are currently investigating my claim.

Texas Workforce Commission totally took the employer side in my wage claim process against my ex-employer, which did not pay my commissions, hours worked, overtime and which overcharged my last paycheck. Texas Workforce commission took over six month to complete the investigation of my wage claim. My ex-employer submitted a document to prove that I did not make any sales. This document was from one month after I was fired, meaning that they did not submit the right document.

My ex-employer also sent me my last paycheck weeks later. The law requires that the employer send the final paycheck no later than six days. My ex-employer sent my final paycheck only after I signed a form for health insurance which was deducted from my final paycheck way more than authorized. The form came with the threat saying, "You have to sign in and you have to enroll so we can send your final paycheck." The Texas Workforce Commission investigator never calls me and made the decision in favor of the employer. I appealed. The hearing took place months later.

During the hearing, the Hearing Officer helped my ex-employer in its answers suggesting what is OK for my ex-employer to answer. The hearing officer also allowed my ex-employer interrupt me while I was making questions, and ordered me to be quiet so my ex- employer could answer the question that I did not complete. The questions that I did have chance to make, the ex-employer had the Hearing officer help. The Hearing Officer also informed my ex-employer during the hearing that they could add documents at anytime of the hearing. I had to submit documents before the hearing and send it to both parties (the ex-employer and the Hearing Officer). But that was different for me, because, I was denied the right to add documents during the hearing.

The Hearing Officer also allowed the employer to make a phone call during the hearing, and also to check information on the computer which took several minutes. The Texas Workforce Commission never sent me the hearing decision, so I called in to find out why I did not receive it. I discovered that the decision was made in favor of the employer. The Texas Workforce Commission blamed the post office for not delivering the decision. In order to the TWC send me a copy of the decision I have to send a written request by certified mail or by fax and save the confirmation page. The TWC fax was out of service; so, the request was sent via certified mail.

Finally, I received the decision. The Hearing Officer ignored the documents which prove that I made my sales, and prove that the client had already paid. The Hearing Officer also wrote that I do not deserve over time because I was not doing any work while I was waiting for my paycheck, and he ignored the fact that my ex-employer held my last paycheck, and ignored the over charges. Texas Workforce Commission was useless and ignored the documents and evidence that support my case, and not only help the employer, but also take the employer side during the hearing.

I have heard how bad the TWC is for the employees, and now I have proved it. Always ask for a recorded copy of your hearing. It will be painful to get as well; but, the TWC will finally send it, and I have a proof how inefficient and rude they are, and I have proof in case a future lawsuit against the employer and the TWC.

These are tips to deal with Texas Workforce Commission in case of Unemployment Benefits. If your employer lied to the TWC saying that you walked away from the job when it was available for you, when you were fired, expect the following.

An investigation will take about 3 months. The investigator will call you. Expect the investigator to be rude and manipulative (in favor of the Employer). The investigator will interrupt you and tell you to answer the question, meaning a short answer. Make sure that the investigator took note of your answer. Most likely your unemployment benefits will be denied. So, you need to appeal. When you appeal, make sure to send to the TWC all the documents that support your side. Send it via certified mail. If you need some documents from your employer, request it, first for the employer. Again, request via certified mail, after that, request a subpoena to the Hearing officer explaining why you need the document and also let the officer know that you tried to contact the employer.

During the hearing, expect that the hearing officer will be very rude with you and very nice and polite with the employer. The hearing officer will help the employer but will not help or listen to you. Make sure to make questions to the employer that will support your view. Most of the time, the employer will contradict himself because of the lies. In the end, the hearing officer will let you do the final statements; make sure to point out the contradictions. You will win the unemployment benefits only if you have documents that show that you were fired. The Hearing officer will not consider your words. Keep in mind that the Texas Workforce Commission is designed to benefit the employer.

I think it's cruel how the Texas Workforce Commission immediately cuts off a person's benefits the minute they start working! I began working for a company on March 1, 2010. I was told by a Workforce rep on March 10, 2010 that I no longer qualified for benefits after my first workday. I explained to the rep that I wouldn't get paid at my new company until 3 weeks out and she didn't seem to care! I explained to her that I have nothing to live on during this time and she just stated "Your benefits are up, madam and there's nothing I can do." How can they just leave people hanging without income? After all, am I not entitled to this money that I've worked for for several years on end? The process they use there is just pathetic!

TWC is an outright joke. I was laid off by my employer as of 12/04/2009 and to date, I have not received any unemployment benefits. I've spoke to several representatives starting on 01/24-02/26/10. I've had to go through an appeal process, at which time my former employer disputed the reason for my layoff. After winning the appeal, I thought I was on the road to receiving benefits. Well to my surprise, the physical year had started over so a new claim had to be opened, which means the process had to be started all over again. My new claim was opened on 02/10/10 by representative PVW. I expected to receive benefits as of 03/01/10, however, I've been advised by Angel and his supervisor Naomi that the information entered was incorrect and therefore the process would have to start all over again.

I am livid at the fact that they can do this to individuals who are really in need of this money. I've found the representatives working in the office to be very cocky and most of the times, rude. I believe they make you endure all the inconveniences so that an individual will become frustrated with the process and throw in the towel. TWC representatives really need to be evaluated and trained on how to possess great customer service attitudes.

I filed for unemployement benefits last october and they were granted. My year expired this october and I still had a balance on my claim. The TWC stated I had to file a new claim because my year was up. I did so and went through the usual waiting period. I was informed online last week when I filed for a payment that the new claim was invalid.

I called in and they stated I had not worked enough days at my current part-time job to qualify for a new claim(I was let go from my last full time job last year-through no fault of my own- and am still hunting-the second layoff in 5 years). The rep stated they would reactivate my orogonal claim and I would draw that remaining balance until it ran out. I found out today(4 days later) that the previous decision had been overturned and now I HAD earned enough wages at my part-time job to file a new claim.

Since my my original NEW claim had been canceled a few weeks ago, they had to start all over again with ANOTHER new claim and I have to go through the waiting period AGAIN-which is 14-21 days to "verify" my part-time wages. Dizzy yet? So that means no money this week from my payment request of 10 days ago and probably nothing when I file this coming sunday.

These guys give me the standard "it's the law and there is nothing we can do" garbage. Why should they care?? They have jobs. These stupid rules need to be changed so we don't get treated like welfare cases and have to beg for it. I wrote the white house, and my senator and congressman but am not hopeful as I am sure it will be the red tape runaround. Hope this helps someone else out.

I was harassed, discriminated against, and retaliated against for over a year. I finally quit my job when I was disciplined on trumped up charges. TWC awarded me unemployment, the employer appealed, and I still won. For anyone contemplating such actions, the following is what I contribute to my success: 1) documentation, copies of whatever I could get, and good notes of what had transpired 2) exhaust administrative remedies, that is, try repeatedly to resolve the problem with management 3)timing: Once you cannot resolve it, quit right then, not six months later. 4) prepartion: after you submit an on-line claim for benefits, someone will call you for a telephone interview.

Have written notes prepared in advance, to be able to answer their questions, which include, why did you quit, when did you quit, who did you tell, what did you tell them, what caused yuo to quit when you did, what steps did you take to try to work things out prior to quitting, etc...5)attorney: I handled the initial intake claim myself, but had an attorney for the appeal. While there are no guarantees, this was a good investment decision! I am the sort of person who is comfortable negotiating with elected officials, but still found the appeals hearing intimidating. It is not complex, and is in fact designed to where a lawyer is not needed, but I'd say mine definitely helped me present my case in the best possible light.

My wife received unemployment benefits a little more than a year ago for a few weeks. It was approved through an appeal she filed with TWC. Now they are saying it was an error and she has to pay it back, and that she cannot draw any benefits again till she does. Financial distress

Iam now being denied benefits for reporting the wrong employer. The TWC states that I reported working for "Box farms" i have neber heard of "Box Farms" and never reported wages from box farms. i am several months behind on my mortgage payment and several credit card payments due to my period of umemployment. I am having a very hard time catching up my bills and would like to be compensated for the period I filed for unemployment benefits. please help me as soon as possible as my mortgage is two months deliquent and I am in fear of foreclosure. i have only 3 years left on a 30 year motgage.

Shell fired me when I asked the manager to confirm the denial of my wages for the day I worked. I applied for Unemployment which was denied because they said I was fired for insubordination. Rediculous and a lie. I have a right to question manager when I am not paid for work I performed. I appealed and nobody showed up on the date of the hearing. Then they called for rescheduling which they never did.

EEOC was informed of illegal action taken by Shell's manager. I have all the proofs and EEOC never got back with me. The corruption in this country is on its peak. Once very positive and respectable laws of this country are now nothing but a protection of the wealthy. Yes we the labor are like a 3rd world nation who is oppressed and suppressed by the power of the governments and their so called laws to protect the aggrieved.

I initially filed a claim in December 2008 with the Texas Workforce Commission and started receiving benefits in January 2009. My case has been extremely difficult and confusing since day one due to a representative in the TWC office who entered my information incorrectly after she was told several times of the correct information which has caused me to deal with supervisor after supervisor as well an appeal regarding if I will continue to receive benefits or not. My benefits have been on hold due to this error numerous times and I have spoken with a supervisor on 4/10/2009 who assured me that everything had been corrected and released the hold and also corrected the error with the appeal. I spoke with another supervisor on 4/14 who stated my claim had been corrected and I should not have anymore problems. As of today 5/1/2009 I notice my claim is yet on hold again. I feel like my case has been handled extremely unprofessional. I have been dealing with this same matter since January 2009 and it has yet to be resolved.

Well The TWC is trying to say that I filed unemployment benefits 01/01/06 to 12/31/06 but is not true I have been working since all last year if youcould check my case you will see that I was employed still at the same Job last year and I had no reason to file unemployment at all and I can not get no one to assist me they want me to pay them $180.00 for what ant I have been working could this be a Error.

I am being charged with intentionally receiving temporary extended unemployment benifits to which I was not entitled. For the year 2001, oct.nov.december, 4th quarter. reported earnings conex international corp. 4,209.73 triple s industrial 1,172.00 dollars. They tried to charge me with this a year ago for the same months. I had to contact both employers and get payment history, and send to TEC. They contacted me and said everything was ok. I have never falsely reported any wages to TEC. I also talked to a Rosa. She was supposed to be looking into my case, never heard from her agin.

During my fourth month in recieving unemployment benefits I decided to work with a day laborer service named (Industry 1 one) located on 1019 Camden street in San Antonio,Tx.This day laboring job was infact just a day labor assignment.But I did work previously with this same company in November 2002.But at that time before it was called (Industry 1 one)it was called (Tandem). Anyway I decided to try to stay busy,search for work and at the same time try to work at least a day every two weeks just to stay active.The first week I worked at this day labor company I made below 50 dollars then about 10 days later I worked at that same location again and made a little under 60 dollars.Each claim week corresponding with those days I reported the earnings to TWC,which by law is the requirement to do so.When I did report those earnings I was required to talk to TWC representatives concerning this. And I did talk to one.

When I verified my earnings with them and the company's information,etc everything was fine and settled and my benfits was not posponded or denied. Another week later I was contacted by Carmen about some information that was sent to them from(B and M Limited Part). Carmen told me by phone that(B and M Limited)was associated with(Industry 1 one)some way and they sent her additional information concerning my employment with( Industry 1 one).Carmen told me that I was supposed to report back to them concern work. As I stated during the introduction of this letter that company was only a day labor company that gave people same day cash, nothing more.And with the same day cash you can make your own schedule which I was informed by(Industry 1 one). Two days later I get a letter from TWC informing me that I "quit and failed to report to them for another assignment". I had explained to Carmen that I was under no obligation to report back at any specified time or at all. Because many others work at that location and can be absent for weeks and months at a time and still get an assignment.Infact when I returned to (Tandem) now (Industry 1 one)I was able to get an assignment after a twelve month absence easy.

They did not turn me down because of my absence for other work which was fulltime.If infact I did just stop working with them because I wanted to maximize my job search for fulltime work in November 2003, in which I worked one day about every ten days, why would I be able to receive an assignment by them after my ten day absence?! Because I am not required to report back.Carmen also stated in that letter she sent me that(B and M Limited)allegedly told me that failure to report back would result in a lost of benefits.That is a lie. They never told me that, neither did they have knowledge that I was receiving unemployment benefits.She did an improper investigation.I believe that she fabricated these alleged statements by(B and M Limted)in the inquiry.The bottom line is that I did not quit. It is my choice, like everyone's,to reutrn back at a time that was suitable for me. In the Unemployment information that was sent to me it stated that "I had to find fulltime work" I can't find fulltime work if I was wasting my time at a day labor job. What is more is that I,like everyone else, can make our own schedule.Carmen deserves to lose her job for fabricating the statements by(B and M limted) or for perfoming an improper investigation.

I was denied unemployment compensation. Mr.Legaspi informed me that it was not required of him to inform the employees of St.Philip School that non-profit organizations are exempt from paying unemployment taxes and thus employees are not eligible for unemployment compensation. However after my appeal this a poicy was immediately put into effect by St. Philip School that employees would from this time foreward be informed. I am filing a second appeal at this time against the Texas Workforce Commission. I belive that it is their legal and lawful duty to inform Texas employees of this matter. In their eligibility requirements is there no mention of this issue. I have worked hard all of my life and paid taxes forever. Now when I need assistance until I find employment I receive no compensation.

I filed for unemployment in Oct 2000. My claim was approved for about $250 a week for 6 to 8 weeks. I have made every effort to get my benefits. First, I was told the checks were mailed, yet I have never received them. I talked to my local office in Dallas who said the checks were not cashed or returned to the State. They had to refer me to the State office in Austin. I have talked to several people there-with varying stories on how to get my checks. My mother happens to live in Austin, I arranged to have them prepare the checks for me to pick up directly. Once I got there, I was told the policy had changed and checks had to be mailed. I finally got Richard Stevens in Commission Disbursements in July-that he was the person to rectify the problem. He said he already had my file, about the fourth in his workload and it is usually 1-2 days per file. Usually when I have called to follow-up, I am left with voice mail. If I talk to an operator, I am told he is the only person that can help me. I have only been able to talk to him directly 3 or 4 times and he always replys-I am working on it.