Research information is available in Appeal Tribunal offices and on the Internet. Some UI laws are very rigid, leaving no room for interpretation. Other laws are subject to interpretation and are applied by unemployment insurance call centers and other offices relying on precedents set by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development or Courts. Hearing officers apply Commissioner and Court precedents to the particulars of your case. Although the hearing officers are employed by DOL, they are independent from the offices that issue the determinations and they are required by law to provide fair hearings.
All hearings are tape-recorded.
The tapes ensure that an accurate record is kept for possible review at a higher level. Historically, the odds of the appellant prevailing in the hearing are significant. Approximately 30 percent of all appeals result in a decision favorable to the appellant. The hearing officer is charged with the task of ensuring that your rights are protected. The hearing officer will aid you throughout the hearing, provided you ask for help or you have otherwise shown you are confused and need assistance.