I recently received notice that I have a hearing coming up with the Maryland Department of Labor regarding my unemployment benefits. I've already exhausted my benefits, but the hearing was delayed due to court backlogs. I was fired from my position at a non-profit where I worked for three years, mainly due to 'poor performance' and allegedly 'over-reporting hours.' In the last six months of my employment, I transitioned to a new role under the Executive Director, who was quite difficult to work with. The organization lacked a formal training or onboarding process, which made my transition challenging. I shadowed a coworker for about two weeks before being left to manage on my own. Despite regular check-ins with my boss, he often changed priorities, making it hard for me to understand what was truly urgent. Regarding timekeeping, we reported hours on a Google Sheet, and I was instructed to stay within 35 hours. However, I was often told to work longer hours, especially during busy periods, and I followed the guidance provided to me. In my termination appeal, my former employer claims I over-reported my hours and violated company policy, despite my attempts to adhere to their expectations. I was terminated without prior notice, and my belongings were collected on the same day. As employment was at-will, I feel I have limited evidence to support my case. I've started gathering any screenshots I can find and taking notes to clarify my side of the story. I also plan to reach out to former colleagues who can act as witnesses to support my claims, especially regarding the lack of performance reviews prior to my termination. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation effectively.