I was recently let go from my company and during the exit interview I was given one reason for my departure. I applied for my unemployment benefits and two weeks later I was told it was a completely different reason than what my former employer had expressed. At the time of my firing there was no paperwork stating any violation, only what my rights were after being fired. If I had known the reason for my firing, I would have appealed it through my employer as stated in my exit paperwork. Do I have a leg to stand on for an appeal with the State(AL) and how do I explain this to future prospective employers? I find it surprising that a month earlier I had gone to the HR department about my manager and then I'm gone, hmmmm?!

If they deny your unemployment, you always appeal, if the appeal is turned down, you appeal that.

If they lied to you at the exit interview, and the new reason is untrue, file a complaint with your work place.

Do you have any documentation of what you were told during the exit interview? Check with the AL Dept of Labor to see if they have a "whistle blower" law.