I was recently let go from my job in Illinois. I worked there for 1 yr. and 3 months. The reasoning I was given for my termination was that I wasn't doing my job up to their standards. I applied for unemployment and was denied today. At this point, I don't know how to handle an appeals process and am certain that the company is not playing fair.

First of all, I am a perfectionist at my job. It was always done well. I received a review on Dec. 1st from the manager (which I signed and don't have a copy of) giving me A's on everything but sales (no one got a good grade there). I was given no warning that my job was in danger, but I'm sure it was a case of the "new manager coming in and I make too much money". I also got into long discussions with this new manager about overtime. He wanted me to work at least 44 hours a week. I asked him if I would be paid for 44 hours and he said, "I shouldn't have to pay you". I was an Assistant Manager paid hourly.

I've never been through an appeals process before (or unemployment, for that matter). I don't know how to present a case when they have all the signed copies of the great stuff I did. They wouldn't even give me a copy of the termination form. What do I do now?

The following link will take you to the website explaining the appeals process in Illinois: http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/faq4.asp