Time to appeal... (receive, work, employee, employment)

[weinerlover]

The facts:
I am in Nevada
I worked for a company for just under 8 years
In December 2012 my company was purchased by a bigger co.
I was kept on as a temporary employee by the new co.
From Dec. 2012 to around May 2013 I continued my job as before - with some changes - as is to be expected with a new owner.
In May they offered me permanent employment - wanted me to learn to be a telephone customer service rep for them. I agreed.

May 29th - they sent me links to several programs they wanted me to use/learn.
I was given no instruction on the usage of these programs. In general I was able to figure out most on my own, however, they use a fairly complicated billing program called CSG, which I had no clue how to use.

June 6th, I attended a "Go To Meeting" session on this CSG program which lasted about 2.5 hours, and had two other trainees attending. Sort of an overview.

June 7th, I had another hour with the "trainer".

June 10th, they asked me to turn on my phone to take calls.

So I jumped in, and I tried to understand this as I went along. Unfortunately, for about 3 weeks, I struggled - unable to answer customer's questions as I didn't understand what I was reading myself.

In frustration, I logged off the phone tree and sent an email (only means of communication except IM) that I couldn't do this anymore without some proper training. And I waited. Not a word for 6 days until HR called and said I was fired for missing 2 shifts.

So, I applied for UE.

Got my denial today. Here is what it says:

Based upon the information on file, the separation is handled as a voluntary quit. Although your reasons for quitting are understandable, you did not exhaust all reasonable alternatives prior to quitting available work. Benefits are denied.

So, it's kind of a mixed message. Any idea where I stand?

I intend to appeal. Any advice?

Thanks to you all who take the time to answer our questions.

[Disgustedman]

Originally Posted by weinerlover

The facts:

In frustration, I logged off the phone tree and sent an email (only means of communication except IM) that I couldn't do this anymore without some proper training. And I waited. Not a word for 6 days until HR called and said I was fired for missing 2 shifts.

So, I applied for UE.

Got my denial today. Here is what it says:

Based upon the information on file, the separation is handled as a voluntary quit. Although your reasons for quitting are understandable, you did not exhaust all reasonable alternatives prior to quitting available work. Benefits are denied.

Well, did you miss those 2 shifts? If so, you have given them a reason for firing you. Plus you waited 6 days? That's a bit much, did you go to work or stay at home? If you stayed at home, you gave the employer even more ammunition for firing you.

[weinerlover]

I did miss the 2 shifts. I waited for someone to contact me and help me. I went home, because there was no real place to go to do any work, other than to just sit idle. All communication was by email or IM, and I had access to all of it from home. I guess I could have sat in an empty office, all alone, where no one knew where I was - as for customers. Management knew how to contact me.

[allen96817]

sounds kind of like you abandoned the job since you didn't show up for two shifts. Did you not have a supervisor to contact?

Is this one of those work at home jobs? I had one many years ago, being at home and logging on to thier system to take reservations/customer svc. It was a 1099 job. Not able to receive UI. Back in 2003.