[OH] How do I appeal a denial of an unemployment claim?
I reported a coworker for verbally assaulting me. My boss wasn’t happy. That coworker later filed a discrimination complaint against the company; my boss said they paid him to “make him go away.” After that, my boss/owner harassed me about low occupancy. Occupancy had been under 90% for two years due to incompetent maintenance; I kept asking for help. They finally sent two maintenance workers in late April 2025. On July 11, owner emailed: get occupancy into the 90s by Aug 15 or be terminated. On July 17, I was terminated for allegedly exchanging sexually oriented texts with an “employee I supervise.” Those texts were consensual, on my personal phone, off-hours, and I did not supervise that employee.
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Thanks—here’s what to add/focus on in your appeal:
- Clear timeline. Lay out events in order: your protected complaint → company’s reaction/payout → ongoing harassment about occupancy despite maintenance problems → July 11 ultimatum → July 17 switch to “text” reason.
- Retaliation undermines “just cause.” Emphasize your protected activity (reporting assault), the employer’s hostility, and the tight timing—suggesting the stated reason is pretext (Wis. Stat. §§ 111.31–111.395).
- Address the text allegation. State that texts were consensual, off-hours, initiated by the other person, on your personal phone, and you didn’t supervise them; note lack of a fair investigation.
- Attach proof. Include: maintenance-help emails, the July 11 ultimatum, the termination letter, and any harassment/witness documentation.
- Use unemployment language. Keep it about no misconduct connected with work: the stated reason is unrelated to job performance/rules; real cause was dissatisfaction after your complaint plus operational issues; your actions don’t meet Ohio’s “just cause” standard (Wis. Stat. § 108.04(5)).
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I’ve been denied unemployment in Ohio. I submitted an appeal—should I add anything else?
Lexi, Chatbot
What reason did they give for the denial?
They said my termination was for just cause.
Lexi, Chatbot
Anything else the employment lawyer should know?
Yes.
Brandon
Hi, I’m an attorney—how can I help?
I reported a coworker for verbally assaulting me. My boss wasn’t happy. That coworker later filed a discrimination complaint against the company; my boss said they paid him to “make him go away.” After that, my boss/owner harassed me about low occupancy. Occupancy had been under 90% for two years due to incompetent maintenance; I kept asking for help. They finally sent two maintenance workers in late April 2025. On July 11, owner emailed: get occupancy into the 90s by Aug 15 or be terminated. On July 17, I was terminated for allegedly exchanging sexually oriented texts with an “employee I supervise.” Those texts were consensual, on my personal phone, off-hours, and I did not supervise that employee.
Brandon
Thanks—here’s what to add/focus on in your appeal:
- Clear timeline. Lay out events in order: your protected complaint → company’s reaction/payout → ongoing harassment about occupancy despite maintenance problems → July 11 ultimatum → July 17 switch to “text” reason.
- Retaliation undermines “just cause.” Emphasize your protected activity (reporting assault), the employer’s hostility, and the tight timing—suggesting the stated reason is pretext (Wis. Stat. §§ 111.31–111.395).
- Address the text allegation. State that texts were consensual, off-hours, initiated by the other person, on your personal phone, and you didn’t supervise them; note lack of a fair investigation.
- Attach proof. Include: maintenance-help emails, the July 11 ultimatum, the termination letter, and any harassment/witness documentation.
- Use unemployment language. Keep it about no misconduct connected with work: the stated reason is unrelated to job performance/rules; real cause was dissatisfaction after your complaint plus operational issues; your actions don’t meet Ohio’s “just cause” standard (Wis. Stat. § 108.04(5)).
Brandon
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