Date-Month-Year

Mr./Mrs. ___________, Administrative Law Judge
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
YourCity Office of Appeals
City, State Abbreviation Zip

CASE #: ________________

To Judge __________________:

Please receive this letter to serve as form of foundation to overturn the decision currently in act with California Unemployment Insurance to deny my claim.

Throughout my interview process with __________ and _______________, I voiced concern about receiving adequate training, thus, was advised that I would receive proper training to be successful in my newly accepted role as Director of Resident Engagement & Activity. Additionally, during my interview I inquired as to how many staff I would be supervising; I was told (& noted) 4 as the number of staff.

During my first week of employment with __________________(Daye of week, and date), I was already putting in 10+ hour days, as the department was in a rather unstable state. During the first week, I learned that there was 6 staff, another on maternity leave, that I would be responsible for managing (not 4). The responsibilities continued to pile on at a rate that was rather intense and impeded on my first two weeks of “new-hire training”.

Before my hiring, _____________ acted as somewhat of an interim director. She played a pivotal role in my training and understanding of the numerous tasks that seemed endless. During my second week on staff (month/dates), I met with______________, Director of Resident & Family Services, to review my training status. In that meeting, I voiced my concern of being extremely understaffed (4 activities staff to carry out the day’s activities with 100 residents); she sympathized with me and encouraged me with “…it will get better…” and advised that I bring the ratio issue up to my manager, _____________.
Later that week, (date), I met with my manager and reiterated my concern over resident-to-staff ratio. He advised that the ratio is “1 staff to 23.75 residents,” which- in my opinion, is not only perilous to the residents dealing with mid-advanced stages of dementia, Alzheimer and other memory impairment, but also just counterproductive to the department’s focus. The activity and engagement department is responsible for exactly that: engaging the resident in activities that will encourage the resident’s mind & body functionality.

As the weeks went on, I found myself overwhelmed and stressed beyond anything I had addressed in my former years of employment. On several occasions, I voiced my concern about my stress and overwhelm to _______ and _________. To add to my increasing stress, I was told that __________ monthly stipend would come an end, thus, I would no longer have the assistant, who helped in my assimilation into my role.
In addition to the chaos, I was witnessing some rather questionable incidents that caused me to inquire as to how facility name handles patient care in particular situations. After asking ______ about the results of a certain situation I witnessed, I walked out of his office feeling disgust and thinking about my 81-year old aunt who I am very protective of.

Please know that I have spent countless hours reorganizing and fashioning new programs on high school campuses. I went into the role with agency name feeling confident and excited about this new venture. My career goal is to land a job in the healthcare field- more specifically, working with our elder community, as overseeing the medical affairs of my ailing 81-year old great-aunt has inspired me to this path.

Lastly, please take the above into considerable forethought, as I am a dedicated, driven, passionate worker, who longs to make a difference in the lives of those in need—especially the senior/elder community. Just last week, my great-aunt reminded me of something rather telling: “…please tell the judge how I never had to ask you or your sister to go out and work. Both of you went to work at 16 and (when not in school) would get up at 5am to bike to your jobs. You have always worked and have been a hard worker.” I smiled, because she raised me and she is right.

Respectfully,