Ill start this by saying im in California as well.
I had co-worker who was laid off about 2 years ago and has been collecting unemployment from the event since then. He was and still has remained a good friend to this day. The day he was let go he told me that the owner had laid him off stating that we didnt have work for him. He applied for UI and was granted it. Now however that that has run out when he goes to refile for an extension he gets told by a EDD employee that he was infact now fired for being combative over the mask mandate (he was not), and furthermore because he was fired he will also not get an extension and he will have to pay the money back that he HAD received prior.
The coworker was contacted by the unemployment office and made aware of the companies intent and was told that if he could get someone to provide a character witness and recounting of events that that would be great. So I obliged, and I have sent a letter to the EDD on his behalf.
I feel that the company is trying to be vindictive against this individual by making him lose his benefits (after he worked there for 12+ years) by making the false claim that he was combative over the mask mandate. What he was was argumentative sure, but that was because the boss would come in multiple times a day to threaten closing the companies doors and send us all home and we would ask him why which would only serve to anger him and get us the “take it or leave it” response. Daily we were reminded that we were “at-will” and he could just get rid of us.
My friend is nothing but a level headed man who is trustworthy and honest till the days end, I believe that what he told me was true from day 1. I have personally bore witness to many acts of my employers that I would have deemed nefarious such as squandering of a PPP loan, so I do not put this kind of thing past them at all. How is it that the company can go back now and change their reason for his let go? Can they? Do I have any recourse? What should the next step be?
I can answer more specific questions below..